By JASON B. NEOLA
CASTILLA, Sorsogon — The local government unit here will be discussing objectively and openly the proposal to establish the first ever bio-ethanol plant in the Bicol Region.
Vice Governor Antonio H. Escudero Jr. said exploratory talks on the project between the LGU officials and the proponents will formally be held next week or on the first week of August, this year.
In an exclusive interview, Escudero expressed optimism that the discussion will be the first step towards the establishment of local ethanol industrial plant with Mayor Olive Bermillo and the Sangguniang Bayan giving the green light for the project.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan enacted last March 5, 2012 the resolution which named Kim Dong Kyuen and Company as the Korean firm interested to invest in bio-ethanol production in the province without prejudice to seeking other interested investors.
Escudero said the multimillion-peso project, once operational, “would enhance the province’s investment portfolio because of cheaper electricity which Sorsogueños will directly benefit from by paying lower power bills.”
Bio-ethanol can be used as a motor fuel to power automobiles and as additive for traditional petrol in the form of ethyl tertiary butyl ether (ETBE).
In this particular project, bio-fuel uses cassava chips as base material.
Based on the project profile, it will take six months to complete a feasibility study on lands for cassava plantation; eighteen months to build the bio-ethanol plant; and another six months to complete the test in the operation of the plant.
Cassava plantation alone will provide jobs and income to some 13,000 farm workers in the province which is known to have fertile and rich agricultural lands, especially this town which has huge cassava plantations in at least four barangays. A ton of cassava chips can produce 430 liters of eco-friendly bio-ethanol fuel.
Escudero expressed optimism that cassava supply for bio-fuel production will be adequate as the town is known to be the leading producer of cassava crop in the Bicol Region.
“As a matter of fact, cassava and other root crops are the leading ‘characters’ in the town’s annual Onod Festival which is being held during the first week of October.
The plan includes the opening of cassava buying stations in different municipalities to maximize procurement of the crop which serves as base material of ethanol.