In its effort to support the government’s response to contain the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) virus, PSU RDE will focus its efforts to produce ethanol and other alcohol-based disinfectants using Nipa as feedstock. The objective is to augment local supplies as the province and Ilocos Region embraced the “New Normal.” Pangasinan is the major source of Nipa products in Region 1 with its vast areas of Nipa marshes.
The VP for Research and Extension, Dr. PAULO V. CENAS and the Director for Research and Development, Prof. FRANCIS ALBERT T. ARGENTE, together with the PSU Bioethanol RDE Team went to Brgy. Bantayan, Lingayen, Pangasinan to discuss with Barangay and Farmers’ Organization officials the possibility of establishing a village-scale bioethanol facility in the community. Brgy. Bantayan has large areas of Nipa plantation and is a potential site for bioethanol production.
The team also visited the bioethanol facility in Brgy. Pantal, Bugallon, Pangasinan to monitor the status of its operation. The facility was established in 2017 by the National Bioenergy Research and Innovation Center (NBERIC) of which PSU is a partner institution.