by A. Lumaque

Roxas City (10 October) -- The government will establish a $65 million biofuel infrastructure project in line with its efforts to ease the country’s dependence on crude oil importation.

The project is a follow up and in support to the launching activity last August which encourages the cultivation of tuba-tuba in idle lands especially military camps all over the country.

Tuba-Tuba or ‘kasla’, scientific name Jatropha’ is a drought resistant shrub with an economic life of 35 years and can grow in sandy, gravelly, and salty soils. Its seeds can be processed to produce oil that can then be converted into bio-diesel.

In Capiz, the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division military camp is eyed by the Regional Development Council (RDC) as a kasla plantation site during the recent visit of RDC Chair and Antique Governor Salvacion Perez in the area.

The government is supporting the Philippine Forest program that seeks to develop Jatropha plantations and the Green Renewable Independent Power Producer (GRIPP) project for biogas.

A nursery area project for the kasla plantation in the Army camp will be undertaken in view of the proposed project.

The propagation of kasla will also be introduced to farmers nationwide to venture on the idea which may help them earn extra income.

“Pro-poor development programs will continue to be pushed by the government consistent with its level of determination to fight poverty,” said a Malacañang statement.