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Alternative Fuels Corp. to develop jatropha, rice production in Palawan

By Riza Recio

04/09/2008

The Philippine National Oil Co. biofuels unit PNOC-Alternative Fuels Corp. (PNOC-AFC), is expected to develop jatropha and rice plantations in the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

In support of the government’s policy to boost rice production, the PNOC-AFC has adopted some changes allowing jatropha plantation, said Peter Anthony Abaya, PNOC-AFC president and CEO.

“We see the need to increase rice and jatropha production. But we also see the continued urgency of energy security as imported oil continues its upward trek towards $200 per barrel. This country’s need for alternatives to expensive oil proportionately rises,” noted Abaya.

“Thus, we will renew talks with the Department of Justice to let the Department of Agriculture develop the flat arable lands of Iwahig. Since rice is not ideal for rolling and sloping land, the PNOC-AFC will continue its plans to develop jatropha for those sloping areas this end of April. Iwahig will be a rice and biofuel producer at the same time, added Abaya.”

The penal colony has vast hectares of land which can accommodate rice and jatropha among other crops. But not all areas are suitable for rice production.

Palawan, alone, has more than 200,000 hectares of idle land, said Palawan Gov. Joel Reyes. We will create a road map segregating the different areas. Most arable land will be used for traditional crops, such as rice and corn. Others would be for palm and rubber trees. Then there are land for jatropha cultivation, Reyes assured PNOC-AFC chairman Renato Velasco. We would show that rice and jatropha can co-exist, that solutions for food security and energy security can be jointly implemented. Irrigated rice lands are flat.

They are not ideal for sloping areas. Jatropha has the advantage of growing in a variety of land conditions. With its vast lands, Iwahig will be that showcase for both food and energy security, for rice and jatropha development.