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Friday, July 28, 2006
Pass Ethanol Bill, Zubiri asks Senate
By Erwin Ambo S. Delilan
ETHANOL is a must.
So stressed Bukidnon Representative Juan Miguel Zubiri, author of the Ethanol Bill that has already been approved in the Lower House and now pending for the Senate's final approval.
"That's why appeal now to the Senators to approve the bill."
Zubiri said that all of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's dreams and visions in making Philippines to be globally competitive in terms of economics, trade and investment aspects will be wasted in case the Ethanol Bill will only be put on hold.
"What will be the used of high-tech and digital highways, airports and seaports for five super regions if prices of oil continue to go higher and higher? Of course, people will still suffer from paying expensive fare," he pointed.
Zubiri believes that with the on going upsurge of oil prices in both national and international markets, it is rational that the Senators approve now the Ethanol Bill which will pave the way for the country to start producing tangible fuel alternative.
Ethanol will be produced from sugarcane.
As soon as the bill will be approved Negros island will host for the first two ethanol plants in the country.
Two areas in the island are now ready for the project such as San Carlos City in Occidental and Valencia in Oriental.
Rep. Ignacio "Iggy" Arroyo, Jr. of the 5th District of Negros Occidental is also contemplating of setting up another ethanol plant in southern Negros, if not in his district, it might be in the 6th District.
Arroyo believes that ethanol production could be one potent endeavor that would enhance sugar workers' income to uplift their standard of living.
Arroyo is also the co-author of Ethanol Bill.
Bacolod Lone District Rep. Monico Puentevella, however, disclosed that some Senators are hesitant to approve the bill after prices of sugar soared high in the World Market.
Puentevella said, "Probably, another lobbying should done in the Senate for approval of the said bill."
Ethanol, also known as ethyl alcohol or grain alcohol, is a flammable, tasteless, colorless, mildly toxic chemical compound with a distinctive odor.
History wise, ethanol has been used by humans since prehistory as the intoxicating ingredient in alcoholic beverages.
Ethanol has only 66 percent of the energy content of gasoline.
Meanwhile, the country will be hosting the 2006 Asia International Sugar Conference which shall be held in Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu on August 1-2 to provide a venue to discuss sugar and ethanol's emerging interdependence.
Among the key issues to be analyzed during the press conference are the impact of ethanol on sugar prices and regulatory concerns such as the sustainability of sugarcane volume to supply food and fuel requirements.
The decision to hold the conference in the Philippines indicates the potential of the country to become a serious player in the emerging crop-based energy industry.
Congress has already proposed two key bills that shall support the industry: the Biofuels Bill and the Renewable Fuels Bill.
Both, however, have yet to be passed.
On the other hand, industry stakeholders have been patiently waiting for the government to finally provide a framework underpinned by legislation to attract investments.
(July 28, 2006 issue)
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