LAOAG CITY—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Monday unveiled the country’s first coconut biodiesel project that would be jointly undertaken by Filipinos and Japanese in more than 1,000 hectares of grassland in the northern town of Pagudpud.

Ms Arroyo flew to Ilocos Norte, her first visit here this year, to lead the ceremonial launching of the P3.5-billion project at the provincial capitol.

She signified her full support for the first coco-diesel project that would cover the villages of Balaoi, Caunayan and Caparispisan in Pagudpud.

The project, which includes the establishment of a P500-million coconut processing plant in nearby Pasuquin town, will be jointly undertaken by Philippine BioEnergy Northern Luzon Inc. (Benlinc) and its Japan-based partner, Pacific Bio-Fields Corp., led by its president, Moriaki Hayashida.

Accompanying Ms Arroyo in her visit here were Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Gabriel Claudio and Deputy National Security Adviser Luis “Chavit” Singson.

Ilocos Norte Rep. Roque Ablan Jr. and former Ilocos Sur Rep. Salacnib Baterina, the project proponents, said the joint venture would give the region long-term economic benefits in terms of investments and livelihood opportunities.

Ms Arroyo, who stayed in the province for more than an hour, left for Pampanga after the ceremonies. She also addressed Ilocanos, who marked the 103rd birth anniversary of the late war hero, former Ilocos Norte Gov. Roque Ablan Sr.

Representative Ablan moved the birthday celebrations for his father from Aug. 9, traditionally declared as Ablan Day, to Monday in time for Ms Arroyo’s visit.

Classes in all school levels were suspended in the province, except work in the private and public sectors.

Ms Arroyo paid tribute to the elder Ablan for his heroism and bravery in leading an Ilocano guerrilla unit against Japanese troops during World War II.

“On this day, we also pay tribute to the 470,000 Filipinos who fought beside American troops against Japanese invaders during World War II,” she said.

Ms Arroyo said her administration was finally able to secure the recognition of war veterans by the US Congress, which included compensation benefits for Filipino war veterans.

“We face a different war today. We have a war on poverty and problems on global recession. We must unite so that we will not be defeated by world crisis,” she said.

Ms Arroyo distributed P30,000 worth of gift checks to each beneficiary of Dingras Rural Enterprise and Agribusiness Modernization.

She said she would continue supporting Ilocos Norte in the same manner that the leaders of the so-called 7171 provinces (or recipients of the tobacco excise tax under Republic Act No. 7171) had been promoting development in northern Luzon.

Ms Arroyo promised to assist the province in education and health care.

“We will continue to build grade school buildings near the homes of our schoolchildren so they won’t have a reason not go to school,” she said. Cristina Arzadon, Inquirer Northern Luzon