March 27, 2009. "Scientists project that if global temperature rises by two degrees, our biodiversity would be wiped out by 30%. Biofuels do have a role to play," says climate change researcher, Dr. Rodel Lasco, during the biofuels workshop with the Philippine media practitioners¹.

Dr. Rodel Lasco, Philippines Programme Coordinator, ICRAF

Rafael L. Coscolluela, head of the Philippine Sugar Regulatory Administration says that in promoting areas for biofuels production, particularly jatropha, land-related issues have already been thought of. For example, investors planning to go into jatropha production will have to secure an approved environmental compliance certificate (ECC) which will factor biodiversity, land and water resources use. Basically, implementers of the biofuels program have agreed that only idle lands be dedicated to jatropha and other potential biofuel crops so as not to threaten food security.

Gil Villancio, University of the Philippines Los Banos researcher cites that his group is doing research for three years now to generate new knowledge on jatropha as a biofuel source. Philippines has three years of jatropha research generating new knowledge on its positive and negative features as alternative fuel. To date the group is also studying on the toxicity of jatropha.

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