Jatropha processing center opens in Neg. Occ.
BACOLOD CITY — To encourage the use of jatropha as a bio-diesel source, the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental through its Bio-Fuel Program Committee launched the province’s first Jatropha Processing and Research Center at the Technology and Livelihood Development Center yesterday.
The processing hub will serve as a backbone for the Bio-fuel Program of the province which aims to seek alternative sources of bio-fuel amid the global crisis, address environment issues and provide livelihood opportunities to the Negrenses.
Negros Occidental Provincial Agriculturist Igmedio Tabianan said that the province has currently 792,607 hectares of land, about 500,000 of which is devoted to agriculture while other land areas are abandoned and undeveloped.
Tabianan also states that the latter will be the focus of research while the Provincial Environment and Management Office (PEMO) is on inventory for possible plantation sites aside from the one in Tabunan, Bago City.
Meanwhile, Department of Enegry (DOE) Visayas Field Office Director Antonio Labios commended the provincial government for its innovative program adding that bio-fuel is a renewable source of energy, bio-degradable and gives economic benefits through jobs. He also adds that the production of jatropha is easy and practical because it can be propagated anywhere in the province.
Moreover, Engr. Rowen R. Gelongo, DOST Region 6 Director adds that through the collaborative effort of the government, the private sectors and the academe, present energy problems of the society may be solved.
Bayawan City Mayor German P. Saraña of Negros Oriental validated the power of jatropha when he announced that the vehicle he is using is 100% fueled by bio-diesel for almost a year already.
Sixth District Board Member and Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture thanked all the supporters of the provincial government and assured the public that the government will recognize every opportunity that the program can offer.
True to its commitment and aims with the program, the provincial government signed a pact with the academe and other lead agencies to strengthen research efforts and combine workforce among parties.
Being the lead agency, the provincial government also allocated fund for financial support and readied technical assistance for the program’s stakeholders.
Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod (CSA-B) led by OSA-President Fr. Frederick C. Comendador, Negros Occidental State College of Agriculture (NSCA) headed Dr. Freddie Maningo and Carlos Hilado Memorial State College-Talisay (CHMSC-Talisay) represented by Dr. Renato B. Salmingo are among the colleges in the province which took part in the agreement.
Present during the ceremony are Board Member Raul Rivera, Economic Enterprise Development Department Head Atty. Japhet T. Masculino, Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Merma Bayona, Asst. Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator/Provincial Information Officer-in-Charge Ma. Lina P. Sanogal, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Luisa B. Efren, Governor’s Executive Assistants Jonathan Lobaton and Gerard Tupas, among others. (Capitol News)