Seaoil considering Zamboanga for bioethanol plant

Seaoil Philippines, Inc., one of the independent oil companies in the Philippines, is keen on developing land in the Zamboanga Peninsula for bioethanol production, a ranking official of the regional agriculture office said. Samuel M. Simbajon, regional chief , told BusinessWorld that Seaoil President Glenn L. Yu sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap to request for assistance in the company’s search for possible areas for the plant in the peninsula. He said among the provinces being targeted are Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay. “Based on our ground reports submitted by the provincial agriculture offices these areas [have] potential for bioethanol.” He could not estimate the area that would be needed for the plantation. He also could not divulge the production volume of the plant, as a feasibility study is yet to be conducted. Sources, however, said Seaoil is targeting to get more than 6,000 hectares to supply the ethanol plant. The move is in line with Seaoil’s plan to set up ethanol plants following the passage of the biofuels law. Ethanol is an alternative energy source derived from crops like corn, grain sorghum, wheat, and sugarcane. (March 13, 2007)