By Liezl P. Bugtay and Venus P. Betita
AFRIM and VERA Files
A promise of prosperity turned into a bitter cautionary tale for a community that had pinned its hopes on an alternative energy project in Cagayan de Oro. Rather than benefiting from a much-vaunted government project, the farmers whose lands were planted to jathropa became victims of what they now believe was a swindle.
About four years ago, the Higaonon tribal community in Brgy. Lumbia agreed to take part in a jathropa production venture with an organization claiming to be in partnership with the Philippine National Oil Co.-Alternative Fuels Co. (PNOC-AFC).
Jathropa, also known locally as “tuba-tuba,” is a drought-resistant shrub that is considered the best source of fuel among plants. Its seeds, which are the size of walnuts, are pressed and extracted for oil. About 30 percent of a jathropa nut is made up of oil. According to the Department of Agriculture, 2.9 kilos of seeds can produce one liter of crude oil.
Click here (VERA Files) for the rest of the story.
A classic example of how our previous government leaders used their influence for their own political interest appearing to come up with “Livelihood Programs” kuno at the expense of our fellow filipinos businessman & farmers. The way I see the story, it has a very good intention but later on it did not survived maybe due to some forces (inside/outside factors) that makes it failed. Ningas kugon tayo.
Kulang talaga ang supporta ng gobyerno natin lalo na sa mga proyektong katulad nito, anung nangyari sa LPG nuon as alternative for gasoline? Di ba ang gobyerno natin was keep on pushing for an LPG, as solution for the sky rocketing fuel cost, green environment, etc? A lot of our taxis have converted out of this program but later on it seems that the cost of an LPG versus fuel almost the same.
That’s why we could not blame these people if they keep on targetting our government policies because they don’t set a good example. Hope the Aquino administration would be different from GMA’s time.