Philippine Army to devote 1,000 hectares of military land for Jatropha plantation
Around 1,000 hectares of the 33,000-hectare Philippine Army military reservation in Camp Macario Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz are being reserved for the Kasla Plantation being endorsed by the Regional Development Council V1 as a good source of bio-fuel.
Philippine Army Task Force Panay Commander John Bonafos said that devoting 1,000 hectares of their reservation for Kasla plantation is their way of supporting the government project to look for an alternative source of fuel in the light of the ever-increasing prices of oil.
Kasla, scientifically known as Jatropha Curcas, is being promoted as one of the future sources of bio-fuel because of the recent discovery of the Farm Wealth Bio-Tech that it can generate energy.
Western Visayas Presidential Adviser for Regional Development Rafael Coscolluela himself has requested the Regional Development Council (RDC) to approve Resolution No. 10, series of 2006 urging all regional line agencies and local government units to campaign for the establishment of Kasla plantations.
Coscolluela, in requesting for the RDC endorsement contended that for more than a decade, the country has been experiencing a depressed economy due to the increasing fuel prices in the world market that also affects the prices of basic commodities.
He said the country needs to have an alternative source of energy so it would no longer be reliant on imported fuel.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources Assistant Regional Technical Director Reinier Ecang also said that this could also bring about major economic growth in several rural communities because Kasla grows abundantly everywhere.
Bonafos added that Kasla would add to their already existing reforestation project in Camp Macario Peralta which has given livelihood to soldiers and their families.
He said the same project has already been started in Nueva Ecija in Fort Magsaysay.
(PNA)