Philippines to shift alternative energy program to high gear

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo announced in mid-July that the Philippine government is now ready to shift into high gear its biofuel energy program as the first step to end the country’s dependency to imported crude oil. Starting July 21, she will be inspecting the 1,800 hectares (ha) in different parts of the country planted with jatropha under the government’s jatropha propagation program. To date, 900 hectares have been planted with jatropha in Tamlang Valley in Negros Oriental, 500 ha in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija, 200 ha in Camarines Sur, 100 ha in General Santos City, 60 ha in Ara, Palawan, 40 ha in Cagayan de Oro City, 14 ha in Bohol, and five ha in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental. She said that aside from alternative sources of fuel, the government will continue to promote the use of natural gas for transport; geothermal steam, wind mills (like those already operational in Batanes and Bangui, Ilocos Sur) and solar power for electricity. She said that because of the energy efficiency programs initiated by her administration, the country is now 56% energy self-sufficient, the highest energy self-sufficiency rating in the countrys history. (July 18, 2008)