PNOC-AFC Continues Jatropha Development Plans for Iwahig

"In support of the government's policy to boost rice production, the PNOC-AFC has adapted some changes to allow just that," said Peter Anthony A. Abaya, PNOC-AFC president and CEO.

"We see the need to increase rice production. But we also see the continued urgency of energy security as imported oil continues its upward trek towards US$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 (DOJ) 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 hectarage of land which can accommodate rice and jatropha among other crops. However, not all areas are suitable for rice production.

"Palawan, alone, has more than 200,000 hectares of idle land," said Palawan Governor Joel T. Reyes.

"We will create a roadmap 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 S. Velasco concurs, "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."

"Long-term solutions will have to be continued to be developed. Neither food security nor energy must take the back seat. Iwahig will highlight these complementary, twin solutions. There is no competition for these two strategies," said Velasco.

"The PNOC-AFC will be further engaging the expertise of the University of the Philippines - Los Banos as its partner in ensuring that its twin biofuels - agriculture development approach is science-based and sustainable for the long term," ended Abaya.

The PNOC-AFC and the DOJ have signed a memorandum of agreement in early 2007 for biofuels development in the 50,000-hectare property of Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm targeting all idle, uncultivated areas.

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