AMITA O. LEGASPI, GMA News January 12, 2012 8:38pm
Some 89,000 jobs may be generated by increased use of biomass energy,
President Benigno Aquino III said Thursday.
The President expects the use of biomass energy to increase from 39
megawatts (MW) to more than 300 megawatts by 2015.
The increased use of biomass energy has a multiplier effect, because
people with sources of income "become empowered consumers who can
stimulate local economies and create even more jobs," Aquino said in his
speech at the 1st Philippine BioEnergy Conference.
"The effects of advancing the biomass sector will also reach close to
577,000 farm families who can benefit, for example, by gaining
additional income from the sale of agriwaste or forest residues that can
be used in the development of biomass resources," the President noted.
Last year saw major developments in the Department of Energy's
alternative fuels program, part of which is the biofuels program that
promotes two types of biofuels for transport — biodiesel and bioethanol.
The President said with nine coco biodiesel plants operating in the
country, the Philippines has a production capacity of more than 390
million liters as of 2011.
"This means that we are capable of producing about 60 percent more than
the local demand at two percent blend which provides us with an
opportunity to take advantage of the growing worldwide demand for
biodiesel and, at the same time, revitalize our ailing coconut
industry," Aquino added.
He noted that nearly 39 percent of the country's energy requirements
comes from renewable sources such as hydropower, geothermal, solar,
wind, and biomass.
Aquino said the renewable energy program allows the country to
contribute to the worldwide effort to mitigate the impact of climate change.
"After all, the Philippines is one of the countries most vulnerable to
its effects and we are hoping that the rest of the world would join us
in proactively responding to what is perhaps the most pressing challenge
of our age," he said.
"Our challenge lies in harmonizing our national goals with the goals of
individuals like yourselves who share the belief that we can no longer
go on using the energy the way we used to," he said.
He also urged them to ensure that the joint efforts redound to the
benefit of the people.
"Exploring alternative energy options is a noble endeavor. Our country
believes that it can also be economically viable and can contribute to
the alleviation especially in our rural areas and move us closer to our
goals at equitable progress and inclusive growth," he said.
"If we are able to act upon the knowledge we gather and share in
conferences like the one we are having today, we can protect ourselves
from swings in the global commodities market while, at the same time,
ensuring a clean, safe planet for future generations," he added. — VS,
GMA News
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