Those slimy and otherwise unsightly plant-like organisms that are frequently washed ashore may be one of the country's last hopes to be less dependent on imported fuel. Sen. Edgardo Angara, who chairs the Congressional Commission on Science, Technology and Engineering (Comste) recently announced that his group along with the Department of Science and Technology, is partnering with the Korean government in initiating seaweed biofuel cooperative ventures in the provinces of Aurora, Quirino and Isabela in Luzon and Bohol in the Visayas. A Korean firm has already developed a marine farm in Talibon town in Bohol and to jumstart the project the same firm is planning to put up a US$150-million (P6.9 billion) facility for seaweed-based ethanol extraction, biomass power generation and organic fertilizer production.

Buban, C. E. (2010, February 24). Seaweeds eyed to power local cars. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. B2-4.