INVESTMENT ADVICE

In a culture obsessed with acquisition and accumulations, one can hardly imagine a more radical, countercultural act than simply giving something away.

But Jesus said, “ Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of in heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; nor thief can steal it, and not moth can destroy it. Wherever your treasure is, there the desire of your heart will also be ”. (Luke 12:33,34.)


Jesus calls us to invest our lives in things that will last. And naturally, our lives will be focused on where we invest our energy, time, and money. Jesus recognized the double effect: We invest in what we believe in, and we believe in what we invest in.


Jesus made the distinction between His way and consumerism: “ No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; You will be devoted to one despite the other. You cannot serve both God and Money ”. (Luke 16:13)



In contrast with such defeating and destructive obsession, there is certain simplicity, assurance, and essential goodness to the investment advice of Jesus: Invest your life in something that will last forever.

A US$100 – $200 MILLION JATHROPA INVESTMENT IN PALAWAN

Officials of two Spanish firms arrived in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines, last Febraury 1 to scout for possible areas where they can establish around US$100 – 200 million jathropa plantation and bio-diesel production plant in the province of Palawan.


The Officials of Bionor Transformacion and Abengoa Bionergy arrived after negotiations with Palawan 2nd District Representatives Abraham Kahlil B. Mitra when he joined with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s trip to Madrid Spain recently.


Mitra said, “We are happy to announce that in just two months time since we went to Madrid and talked to some investors there, they have come already. They are planning to put up a 100 thousand hectare jathropa plantation here in Palawan. This is a big investment so this will convert to more income to the province”.


He also said that the project will have an initial investment of around US$200 million although an official of Bionor said that the 100 thousand hectare plantation “ in theory merits more or less somewhere around 1 hundred million dollar”.




Agustin Garcia Razon, a member of Bionor Strategic Committee which is in charge of the company’s world-wide investment, said an agreement was reached with the Philippines government for the implementation of the project after close negotiation with them. One factor that lead them to choose the Philippines particularly the province of Palawan is its being safe from natural calamities.


He also said that among other things they considered are security and infrastructure in the Province. “We have looked into that matter that’s why we considered Palawan because we really feel safe here and secondly, we are assessing a bit the infrastructure to see what is needed to be able to move the project ahead with regards to logistics”.

PHILIPPINES ALTERNATIVE FUELS PROGRAM

The Alternative Fuel Program is one of the five (5) key components of the Arroyo Administration’s Energy Independence Agenda, which outlines the roadmap that will lead to the country’s attainment of 60% energy self-sufficiency by 2010.


What is an Alternative Fuel?


Alternative Fuels are fuels that are not composed substantially of petroleum and thus, are alternatives to petroleum. As a substitute to this traditional fuel, it is expected to yield significant energy security and environmental benefits to its consumers.



Methanol, denatured ethanol, and other alcohols blended with gasoline, diesel, or other fuels are alternative fuels. Those that acts as a substitute to petroleum, such as natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, hydrogen, and coal derived liquid fuels are also considered as alternative fuels, as are fuels derived from biological materials and electricity.


What is a Bio Fuel?

Bio Fuels refers to fuels from biomass primarily used for motive, thermal and power generation, with quality specifications in accordance with the Philippine National Standard (PSN).



The Department of Energy (DOE)is implementing a long term Alternative Fuels Program to reduce the Philippines dependence on imported oil and to provide cheaper and more environment friendly alternatives to fossil fuels. The DOE intends to tap the country’s domestic produce as viable energy fuels for long term energy security, will be a pillar to the Philipines sustainable growth.



What is included in the Program?


The Alternative Fuels Program has four (4) major subprograms, namely:

(1) Biodiesel Program;

(2) bioethanol Program;

(3) Natural Gas Vehicle Program for Public Transport: and

(4) Autogas Program.



Other technologies advocated the program are Hybrid, Fuel Cell, Hydrogen, and Electric Vehicles.


ADVERSE EFFECT OF COFFEE...