The lack of an access road has caused the delay in the Tamlang Valley Jatropha Plantation Project, program proponent and former Rep. Herminio Teves (Neg. Or., 3 rd district) said yesterday.

Teves said some areas in the project site are impassable so it is difficult to plant jatropha seeds for bio-fuels, in a target area of at least 17,000 hectares.

The project will be undertaken through a lease agreement amounting to P5 million with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

During her visit in the province Monday, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo challenged Teves to fast-track the implementation of the jatropha plantation venture at the Tamlang Valley .

Arroyo opened the two-day international integrated tax system that ended yesterday.

She said the jatropha project should have started as she had approved of it long ago.

Arroyo was briefed by Teves on the proposed jatropha oil mill to be constructed by the Bio-Green Company through a Korean investor, and the Herminio Teves Co. Inc.

The President instructed Teves and DENR officials to coordinate with Regional Director of the Department of Agriculture for infrastructure support.

She added that all government line agencies should collaborate in implementing the project.*MA

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