Compared to gasoline, bio-fuel is a feasible fuel alternative because it is a renewable resource, Environment and Natural Resources officer of Oriental Negros Antonio Cabrido said.

As a feasible substitute, bio-fuel can compete with gasoline, Cabrido said. He, however, admitted that among consumers, the switch from gasoline and diesel to bio-fuel would be a slow transition.

Cabrido also said that the Philippines is heavily gasoline-dependent on other countries. Through jathropa and the Bio-Fuel Law, the country will become sufficient and fuel supply will be limitless, he said.

The province is a potential source of jatropha production. "There are still a lot of areas in the province that are not being planted or used for food production," provincial agriculturist Greg Paltinca said. In his talks with farmers recently, Paltinca said he urged them to plant jatropha on their idle lots. "Besides, this will also help in the soil erosion problem," he stressed.

Paltinca said that if all the idle lands in the province are converted into jathropa farms, Oriental Negros will be self-sufficient of bio-fuel. But being bio-fuel sufficient is still a dream for the province for now, he said. So far, only the city government of Bayawan, among the 25 local government units in the province, has started venturing into alternative energy initiatives through its jatropha nursery.*RG

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