Ethanol to save RP from energy crisis

A senatorial aspirant says the establishment of 20 ethanol plants in the Philippines is one way of lessening the country’s dependence on imported fuels.

Bukidnon Rep. Miguel Zubiri, the author of Republic Act 9367 or the Bio Fuel Act of 2006, yesterday told Cebu’s business sector that the law’s implementation will alleviate the country from the energy crisis it is presently facing.

Zubiri said in the next 10 to 15 years, there would be a drastic change in climate because of the rapid deterioration of the environment due to the rampant use of fossil fuel.

The lawmaker said with the new law, the problem will be addressed since the energy source is now from ethyl alcohol that would be produced from sugarcane.

"For as long as we keep on producing sugarcane and also other sources of biofuel, there will be lesser problem on energy source and at the same time saving the environment," he said.

The ethanol plants will produce eight megawatts of surplus power for the country.

"Imagine there will be one in Bogo and another in Danao, these will be packets of charged energy," Zubiri said.

Other sources of biofuel include coconut and "tubatuba" or jathropa, which India is now using. Some government agencies are already adopting biofuel for their service vehicles.

Other than RA 9367, Zubiri said he is also working for the passage of the Renewable Energy Bill, which gives incentives to investors of wind and hydropower.

But he admitted that the bill would be facing tough opposition in Congress from other power producers. — Ferliza C. Contratista/LPM