Biodiesel project expanded across Bacolod villages
BACOLOD CITY—Deputy House Speaker and Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez announced on Monday the expansion of a biodiesel project to more barangays in Bacolod City, aiming to cushion the impact of rising fuel costs while creating livelihood opportunities.
Biodiesel, a renewable alternative to fossil fuels, is produced from vegetable oils, animal fats, used cooking oil, and other organic sources such as yeast and microalgae.
READ: Biodiesel project offers Bacolod fishers relief from rising fuel costs
Benitez highlighted the project’s expansion during its launch at the community center of Las Palmas Subdivision in Barangay Taculing, noting that it addresses the urgent need for affordable fuel among fisherfolk and farmers while also helping reduce urban pollution.
In Bacolod, biodiesel is derived from used cooking oil collected from restaurants and fast-food chains—waste that, when improperly disposed of, can clog drainage systems.
Benitez said he aims to bring the project, which he initiated during his term as Bacolod mayor two years ago, to every barangay in the city. His vision includes installing one biodiesel machine per barangay, to be operated by local officials or cooperatives as a community-based livelihood initiative.
He added that discussions are ongoing with barangay captains interested in joining the program.
Engineer Ian Fred Solas, chief executive officer of Green Solutions.PH, said Benitez had initially funded the project himself by purchasing three biodiesel machines now operating in Barangay Felisa.
Solas explained that the idea stemmed from efforts to address flooding in the city, when clogged drainage systems were found to contain hardened oil sludge.
Today, these machines can produce between 1,000 and 2,000 liters of biodiesel daily, sold at around P35 to P40 per liter.
He added that some establishments produce biodiesel, which is distributed free to fisherfolk as part of their corporate social responsibility programs.
This initiative significantly reduces fuel expenses for farmers and fisherfolk, Solas said.
READ: Higher biodiesel blend pushed to ease oil price crunch
Under the expanded program, used cooking oil from households may also be collected and converted into biofuel, which could even power barangay generators. Plans are also underway to process market waste into biodiesel.
On Monday, the Office of Benitez distributed 400 liters of biodiesel to 100 fisherfolk from Barangays 1, 2, Banago, and Singcang.
Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya expressed full support for the initiative, citing its role in addressing the ongoing fuel crisis.
Meanwhile, Bacolod Councilor Bobby Rojas, chair of the Sanggunian Committee on Energy and Public Utilities, said the project—carrying the theme “Collect, Recycle, and Renew”—offers a dual benefit by tackling both high fuel costs and environmental pollution./coa
