The Biofuels Act

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor CEDELF P. TUPAS Sports Editor (On Leave) RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

The new Biofuels Oversight Committee has warned that unregulated biofuel production can result in environmental destruction, pollution, and human health damage.

The food versus fuel debate centers on the sustainability of food crops to drive biofuel markets in the coming years.

The country's biofuel program uses only sugarcane for bioethanol and jathropa for biodiesel as alternative sources of biofuel.

Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, chairman of the Biofuels Oversight Committee, said her committee will prioritize the design of a procedural mechanism that will allow the government to track biofuel from origin use to ensure sustainable practices.

PNOC Alternative Fuel Corporation chairman Renato Velasco said that the food versus fuel debate on biofuel feedstocks does not apply to jathropa. He said the plant grows on marginal and unproductive land. Its large-scale cultivation will not lessen land used for the production of food.

Velasco said studies have shown that the benefits derived from jathropa, including positive effects to the environment and its anti-food properties, out-weigh perceived harmful results.

The promotion of sustainable environment and natural resources should be one of the main thrusts of the government. But we believe more thorough studies should be conducted and all sides considered before making a sweeping conclusion that this is the only alternative in determining what the country's best way of countering the oil price hikes will be.*