Mayor Celso Lobregat has expressed elation over the entry of Bionas, a Malaysian company engaged in the Jathropa business, a wonder plant that produces seeds with oil contents that can be combusted as fuel.
“We are very grateful to our friends from Malaysia who are here to share their expertise in the BIONAS scheme and for considering Zamboanga City as an investment site for their Jathropa business”, the mayor, in a message read for him by City Administrator Antonio Orendain during the launching ceremonies held at the Astoria Hotel yesterday morning said. The Bionas International Malaysia has contracted with MJ SULCAZAM Philippine Corporation for the setting up of jathropa farms in the city as well as the establishment of a refinery at the Zamboanga Economic Zone and Freeport Authority in San Ramon. The refinery will be the facility where jathropa seeds will be processed and the end products of which will be shipped for sale not only to other parts of the country but the world. Based on studies, jathropa is recognized as best alternative to crude palm oil in the production of biodiesel.
The mayor expressed confidence that the partnership for jathropa will bring about employment and alternative agricultural activity for the farmers. It will likewise help improve the plight of the local farmers and more importantly, it will bring about economic advancement in the city. The launching ceremony yesterday was highlighted by the signing of the contract between Bionas, represented by its executive chairman Mohd Safi’e Jaffri and chief executive officer Zurina Amnan and the MJ-SULCAZAM represented by its president Nida Vasquez. The company has acquired 15,000 hectares of lot in Tungawan for conversion into jathropa farms. Several areas in Vitali and Licomo are also set to be planted with jathropa using the Bionas scheme.
The Bionas company is also spearheading a two-day training on the Bionas scheme for some 200 farmers and landowners. Councilor Cesar Iturralde, the representative of the City Council in the Zambo Ecozone board was instrumental in convincing the group to set up its refinery at the ecozone in San Ramon. (Sheila Covarrubias)