AYUNGON, Negros Oriental, March 23 (PIA) -- The country’s first automated eco-friendly Bana Grass Charcoal Facility worth P30 million is set to rise in Ayungon town.

With the establishment of the factory, the Van Kessel-Mackay Green Energy Company is expected to employ over 20,000 workers to do the planting of bana grass in a 400-hectare land as well as making green charcoal as source of income.

Foreign investor, Johannes Van Kessel Olie, an oil and energy businessman from Netherlands, said an estimated of 60 workers per hectare will do the planting of bana grass while other skilled workers will be assigned in processing the charcoal or briquette. 

Olie explained that his firm is looking for a renewable energy that will turn into green charcoal production as a sustainable and greener response to climate crisis. 

Climate Change Committee Chair Luis Ramilo of Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce & Industry (NOCCI) said that several businesses prefer the use of renewable source because of its sustainability.

“We intend to replace the wood based charcoal and choose bana grass, it’s not only sustainable but it can be harvested every six months unlike other source, and the Philippines alone needs about 280,000 tons of charcoal that is using on a monthly bases,” said Ramilo.

The company pledged to prioritize hiring local workers - 70% from Ayungon town and 30% skilled workers from other local government units in Negros Oriental or outside the province.

In her video message, Sen. Cynthia Villar who is the committee chair on environment, natural resources and climate change, welcomed the establishment of the green charcoal facility.

Villar said she hopes that the quality of life of the people of Negros Oriental will be improved without sacrificing the environment.

The senator said bana grass aims to bring down if not eliminate the practice of kaingin or slashing or burning of trees which is both illegal and destructive to the environment instead of relying of traditional way of producing charcoal.

Meanwhile, in her message read by Bana Grass Corp director Atty. Florence Tangente, Sen. Imee Marcos said, “Malaking ambag ito at tulong sa pagsusulong ng sustainable at greener Negros Island maging ating bansa sa kabuuan sa gitna ng lumalalang global climate crisis.”

“Malaki ang magagawa ng Bana Grass Charcoal Facility hindi lang para sa kalikasan, climate change kundi sa mismong pamumuhay ng mga taga Negros," Marcos added. 

Bana grass is a perennial hybrid variety that is highly tolerant to drought and typhoons, pest resistant and non-allergenic, derived from livestock feeds crop babala and grass napier. (JCT/PIA7 Negros Oriental)