Cadiz launches Biofuel Program with PNOC

Cadiz City Government, led by Mayor Salvador G. Escalante, Jr. in joint project with the Philippine National Oil Company-Alternative Fuels Corporation (PNOC-AFC) through its President Gen. Romeo Tolentino, has launched a biofuel program and signing of the Plantation and Production Agreement for the establishment of Jatropha Curcas Plantation in the City on June 25 at Don Bernardo Benedicto Community Center. This project is in response to the President’s call for the utilization of renewable energy under Republic Act 9357 otherwise known as the “Biofuels Act of 2006”.

The Mayor said that “under this project the PNOC-AFC will supply one million jatropha curcas seedlings to the City while the City Government will appropriate 5 million pesos (P5, 000,000.00) for the purpose of providing financial support and sustainability of the project. This will be availed by any qualified private person or entities who wish to enroll in the project.

Mayor Escalante Jr. acknowledged that the project was made possible through the effort of former Congressman Manuel “Bebing” Puey.

More than 170 farmer recipients of the Katilingban sang Magagmay nga Manguguma-Multi Purpose Cooperative led by its president Leonardo Tan in Barangays Mabini, Magsaysay, Andres Bonifacio, Caduhaan and V.F Gustilo, signed the plantation and production agreement affirming their commitment to join and plant jatropha seedlings in their areas.

According to the PNOC chairman former Congressman Genaro Alvarez,Jr. said “that a one hectare of jatropha plantation will produce 3,000 liters of biofuels.”

Councilor Patrick Escalante, chairman on Committee on Rules, Privileges and Legal Matters in his message encouraged the recipients that the PNOC will construct a processing plant in Cadiz when they reach the 5,000 hectares of jatropha plantation in their barangays.

Former Congressman Manuel Puey announced that the City of Cadiz has already planted 186 hectares with Jatropha in Brgy. Magsaysay through Brgy. Capt. Arthur Lamis, which is one of the biggest plantations in Cadiz”.

Present during the launching of biofuel program were: PNOC President Gen. Romeo Tolentino, PNOC Gen. Manager Vic Tupas, PNOC Chairman Former Congressman Genaro Alvarez, Jr., PNOC Consultant Dr. Roberto Visco, Former Congressman Manuel Puey, Former Board Member Victor Puey, Lope Consing, Vice Mayor Samson Mirhan, Councilors Antonio Lacson III, Dr. Lilia Decolongon, Sofia Prado, Dr. Abiezer Bacomo, Dr. Patrick Escalante, Dr. Danilo Inocencio, Wilfredo Cervantes and Joseph Angel Consing, and Barangay captains Warren Zaragoza, Herminildo Legaspi, Arthur Lamis, Nyorlito Jubay, and Eduardo Javier./*