PNOC unit to put up another jatropha plantation in Negros

PAFC said it signed recently an agreement with the Ilog Diversified Multi-Purpose Cooperative and Katilingban Sang Katawhan Sa Katayoyon Nga Kauswagan Sa Kabankalan Inc. (5Ks) to plant jatropha at the plantation. “The partnership that we have forged separately with our grower-partners Ilog Diversified Multi-Purpose Cooperative and 5Ks marks the beginning of our collaborative effort towards establishing a most viable and sustainable biofuel feedstock in the country. The project involves an aggregate area of 500 hectares of jatropha plantation within the landholdings of Ilog Diversified Multi-Purpose Cooperative and another 500 hectares with 5Ks. The market for the jatropha seeds that will be produced from the plantation will not be a problem since PNOC-AFC will be the assured market,” said Alvarez. It will also provide the necessary labor inputs for the plantation establishment and maintenance while complying with all the permitting requirements from appropriate government agencies. In line with the government’s policy of reducing dependence on imported oil and utilizing indigenous renewable energy sources, PNOC-AFC was tasked with the mandate to explore, develop and accelerate the use of alternative energy to enhance the country’s energy security. (June 28, 2009)