Ex-DOST chief seeks dev't of plants with biofuel properties

LOS BAÑOS – A noted scientist has underscored the need to fully develop the country’s “oil wells” of potential biofuel plants to boost the Philippine energy system.

Former science and technology secretary William Padolina took note of the Philippines’ capability in leading biofuel development in Southeast Asia in the foreword of a book on biofuel plants.

“I have no doubt that the Philippines can take the lead in the ASEAN region in developing these ‘oil wells’ under a sustainable program,” said Padolina, who is now deputy director general of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).

Titled “Biofuels from Philippine Plants,” the 250-page volume was published by Asia-Pacific Biofuels Corp. (ABC).

Padolina said the passage of the Philippine Biofuels Act of 2006 signals to the world that the Philippines will actively participate in the global concern of organic feedstock sourcing and of safeguarding the environment in the process.

He expressed confidence that the book will serve to open up the collaboration between science and business on biofuels.

“Biofuels from Philippine Plants” was authored by Dr. Elvira Fernandez, Enrique Crisaldo, and Babylon Tizon. Fernandez is a retired professor of chemistry at the University of the Philippines Los Baños; Crisaldo and Tizon are ABC president and agronomist, respectively.

The book cited 29 trees, 19 shrubs, three grasses and one vine as biofuel plants found in the Philippines and in other countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

Some of the entries are familiar to Filipinos: Benguet pine, pili, petroleum nut, kapok, malunggay (horse radish tree), kalachuchi, eucalyptus, lumbang, bitaog, apitong, and kalantas.

The authors and publisher said research shows that “there remains a very large information gap to be filled to make these plants immediately integrated in our drive for energy independence.”

More crucial, they added, is the rapid desecration of these plants through kaingin (slash-and-burn farming), wanton destruction of forests and wildlife systems, neglect of environmental education, and massive poverty.