Governor George Arnaiz yesterday said there is a need to explain to the people in the villages surrounding the Tamlang Valley the benefits of the proposed ethanol plant to be established in the area.

Arnaiz made the statement after receiving reports that a group, which he believes belongs to the New People's Army, has been spreading intrigues about the huge project to be undertaken by local businessmen, among them the family of Rep. Herminio "Meniong" Teves (3rd district, Oriental Negros).

The governor said the group is making it appear that the benefits that can be generated from the project will go only to the capitalists, which he stressed, is not true.

In fact, he said, he is happy that a group of local businessmen have responded to his call.

"We have been campaigning very hard for investors to come to the province and our local businessmen responded to it positively, so, it is a very good development," Arnaiz said.

Araniz said the project will bring economic development not only to Oriental Negros but to the entire country.

"Think of the economic activity that will take place. This is a billion peso investment," he said.

The plan is to establish a 7,000 to 10,000-hectare sugarcane plantation in Tamlang to cater to the requirements of the plant, he added.

Tamlang Valley is a 16,000-hectare area straddling the hinterlands of the towns of Sta. Catalina, Siaton, Valencia and Sibulan, in Oriental Negros.

He said the National Development Corporation had already signified interest to invest in the project. The governor added that the provincial government is willing to also invest, if necessary.*RA

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