Former Rep. Herminio Teves (Neg.Occ, 3rd district) yesterday said the country’s concern is to make unproductive lands productive and useful, and at the same time generate employment and cushion the impact of global warming.

Teves said that their decision to go into jatropha bio-diesel fuel production was due to their desire to be catalysts for the improvement of the ecology and alleviation of poverty.

“We are now feeling the effects of global warming and other signs of environmental degradation.  The price of fossil fuel is becoming prohibitive at US $110 per barrel,” he added.

He belied claims of some sectors that the jatropha project at the Tamlang Valley has caused the rice crisis, particularly in Negros Oriental.

He said records at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources show that 4.07 million hectares of logged-over area exist in the country.

In the province, out of the 207,039 hectares of denuded forest area, Tamlang covers 24,116 hectares, 10,000 hectares of which is being leased by the Philippine Forest Corporation, he added.

The data also revealed that Tamlang Valley is surrounded by high mountains, with only eight to 10 percent arable land, Teves said.

Members of the Kaugmaon group of farmers headed by Fermin Lorico  in the district, criticized the jatropha plantation of Teves blaming it for the worsening rice crisis.

Teves said the farmers “are barking up the wrong tree,” and they should instead, examine the success or failure of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.*JG

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