Vol. XXI, No. 220 [ BusinessWorld Online ]
Tuesday, June 10, 2008 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES
BACOLOD — The two-year ban on the conversion of ricefields to other uses could cause a setback in the implementation of the Biofuels Act, Senator Miguel Zubiri said here over the weekend.
Mr. Zubiri, principal author of Philippine Biofuels Law of 2006, said he will appeal to President Gloria M. Arroyo today to allow the conversion of at least 25 hectares for biofuel plant sites.
He said several investors want to build biofuel plants, but their plans are hindered by the ban on land conversion. "Right now, we are hitting a certain snag because of a moratorium of conversion of lands in all agricultural areas. Several investors want to put up biofuel plants but they are facing difficulties in land conversion," he said.
The President ordered the moratorium to increase the country’s rice production.
Mr. Zubiri said he will make the appeal during the launching of the E85 car here today. E85 is an alternative transportation fuel composed of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline that is used in flexible fuel vehicles.
Mr. Zubiri said the 2.2 million metric tons of sugar being produced now can be processed to provide 3 billion liters of ethanol, or 85% of the country’s fuel needs. — NLG
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