Arroyo urges PNOC-AFC to meet jatropha target

Visibly pleased with the pace of the Php14.4 million (US$306,448 million) jatropha plantation project in Panay island, Philippines, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo urged Philippine National Oil Corp.-Alternative Fuels Corp. (PNOC-AFC) to continue its good work and meet its target of 10,000 hectares planted to jatropha in Passi city, Iloilo province, Panay island. The Passi City project covers 810 hectares and has 626 farmer-beneficiaries and 8,253 laborers. PNOC-AFC President Romeo Tolentino said the project’s progress contributed to Arroyo’s goal of planting jatropha in 50,000 hectares of idle land nationwide. (October 17, 2009)