Bio-diesel plant in the works in Infanta
By Mila Glodava
Bio-diesel plant is in the works in Infanta, according to Deacon Mario Van Loon, director of the Social Action Center of the Prelature of Infanta. Deacon Mario informed Metro Infanta Foundation of the prelature's joint project with the UP-Los Banos and its Dugsong Buhay Foundation to develop 10,000 hectares of Jatropha Curcas (tubong silangan or tubong bakod), which produces oil-bearing fruits that can be transformed to bio-diesel.
The prelature has received support from its sister diocese in Korea. With the help of the Diocese of South Korea, "I was able to find a Korean industrialist who has committed to build a bio-diesel plant in Infanta," said Deacon Mario. "This will secure the market for the farmers."
In addition, the prelature is counting on the support of other funding agencies. "I hope that the Archdiocese of Utrecht in the Netherlands will help us with the first 5,000 hectares," said Deacon Mario who is a native of the Netherlands. "I am going to the Netherlands next month in order to secure that deal."
"Every one is talking about Jatropha today, however we are the ones who are planting!" exclaimed Deacon Mario.
Indeed, this project would boost enormously the economy of the whole area, including the islands. Carmelite Bishop Rolando Tria Tirona is enthusiastic about this project and has already talked about it in his radio program.