Ethanol seen to fuel RP growth in future

The Philippines’ future economic growth may come from ethanol production if the government encourages the consolidation of agricultural land in Mindanao for sugar intended for the production of ethanol fuel.

According to Philippine Chamber of Commerce and industry (PCCI) president Donald Dee, alternative fuel is the trend of the future.

The Philippines, Dee said, is in a good position to produce alternative fuel since it already grows sugar, coconut and even rice.

Ethanol specifically is produced from sugar.

However, to be able to have viable production, Dee said, the government must allow the consolidation of sugar plantations to between 1,000 to 3,000 hectares.

Dee pointed out that consolidation can only be done in Mindanao since there are no longer any big plantations in Northern Luzon.

Other ASEAN countries like Malaysia and Thailand, Dee pointed out, have had success in their export sector by concentrating on their strengths such as palm oil plantations.

The Philippines’ agricultural strength, for instance, Dee said, has been in sugar.

The government, through the National Development Co. (NDC) has already noted the shift to alternative fuel.

In fact, the NDC is investing in at least two ethanol production facilities already.

Even American motoring giant Ford Motor Co. is embarking on a flexible fuel engine production that would use a mixture of ethanol and regular gasoline.