Philforest steps up effort to promote jatropha

The Philippine Forest Corp. (PFC), a wholly owned and controlled government corporation chaired by Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Angelo T. Reyes, is stepping up the promotion of the jatropha for biodiesel production in the country. 

Jatropha (jatropha curcas L.) is known as tubing-bakod, tuba and sambo in the Tagalog region, tuba and tuba-tuba in Pangasinan and Nueva Ecija, tagumbao, tawa-tawa in Ilocos, kalunay in Cagayan Valley, tuba-tuba , kasla among the Ilongos and tangan-tangan in Lanao region has been found to be a very viable source of biodiesel fuel in the country that can lessen dependence to bunker fuel. India’s experience revealed that 3 kilos of Jatropha seeds can produce 1 liter of crude jatropha oil.

In a briefing, Celso Diaz, former director of the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau of the Human Resource Development Service (HRDS)-DENR, said at least two million hectares will be devoted to jatropha plantation from 2007 to 2011. The prospects of successful jatropha plantation in the country are great considering that this small tree or perennial shrub is drought resistant and can be planted in the uplands. It is not difficult to maintain and its economic life is 35 years and can live for 50 years. 

Guided by the principles of profitability, technology and market towards sustainability, the PFC is embarking on this project with a hope that its production will enable them to realize the corporation’s tenet — of economic productivity from idle lands. – Benny Enriquez