Date: March 17, 2006
Venue: Leyte State University, ViSCA, Baybay, Leyte
Registration Fee: PhP 500

Leyte State University (LSU), in association with EcoEnergy International, LLC; S.I.I., LLC; and the Integrated Rural and Urban Development Foundation (IRUDEF), is proud to announce a Lecture entitled "Biofuels and Renewables – A Strategic Approach Towards Sustainable Development in the Philippines". The purpose of the Lecture is to foster the use of biofuels and other sustainable energy sources for economic development, to minimize and eliminate energy dependence from fossil fuels, and to minimize environmental degradation in the Philippines using locally available and renewable resources. The Lecture also demystifies the simple process of biodiesel production, and highlights a fuel that can provide at least one million jobs in the Philippines, invigorate, and create a stable indigenous fuel supply for engines, cooking and lighting.

The one-day Lecture covers current work on biofuels and other renewables; a demonstration on biodiesel/biokerosene production and utilization from coconut oil, used cooking oil, or any locally available vegetable oil such as, Tubatuba and Tangantangan; and strategic approaches or measures towards a sustainable production of energy in the area.

Dr. Rico O. Cruz, dubbed by Indians as "Biodiesel Guru" is a leading international expert in biofuels research and development. He will deliver the Lecture on March 17, 2006 at Leyte State University, ViSCA, Baybay, Leyte. He is a Boholano and Maasinhon (CM, HS 1975); a So. Leyte State Scholar & a pioneer Ag. Engineering graduate of LSU (BSAE 1980, cum laude); a British Council Fellow graduate of Silsoe College, Cranfield Institute of Technology, England (M.Sc. 1983); and a graduate of University of Idaho, USA (Ph.D. 1990) is currently Program Manager of the Laboratory and Biological Services Program of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) Department of Science and Engineering (DOSE) based in Richland, Washington; President and CEO of EcoEnergy International based in Craigmont, Idaho; and Vice President for Operations of S.I.I., LLC based in Pendleton, Oregon. CTUIR DOSE provides oversight and monitoring of environmental cleanup activities at a nuclear weapons complex in southeastern Washington State which is contaminated by toxic and radioactive wastes. Ecoenergy International is a private consulting firm that assists developing countries and farmers/processors in North America, in the establishment or development of renewable energy, while S.I.I. is a minority women-owned company that assists farmers and rural entrepreneurs in the processing of vegetable oils into biofuels and byproducts.

Dr. Cruz has over 16 years hands-on experience in biofuels research, development, production, evaluation and characterization, and over 25 years in renewable sources of energy (biomass, photovoltaics/solar, hydro and wind power). He was part of the pioneering team at the University of Idaho, and has pioneered and advocated biodiesel production and utilization worldwide. As a short-term Technical Adviser, Dr. Cruz had provided advice, training and technical expertise in vegetable oil processing and biodiesel production in the USA, Canada, India, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, the Philippines, Uganda, Russia, and Paraguay. Through workshops and communications, his expertise in biodiesel production has been utilized in Australia, Ghana, Turkey, Cuba, China, Vietnam, Belize and Germany. In 1995, Dr. Cruz provided his expertise through the United Nations' Transfer of Knowledge Through Expatriate Nationals (TOKTEN) Program, to pilot the production of coconut biodiesel in the Philippines. Since 1993, Not-for-Profit Institutions, which are financially supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and other philanthropic entities, have also utilized Dr. Cruz technical expertise in Bioprocess Engineering. His work has been recognized worldwide, and he is listed in the 1999 International Who's Who of Professionals of Gibralter Publishing, Inc. and the 1000 World Leaders of Scientific Influence (2000) of the American Bibliographic Institute. A Registered Professional Engineer, he has written, published, and presented over 30 technical papers on bioprocessing, biofuels and environmental management, and is member of various professional societies and organizations, (Philippine Society of Agricultural Engineers, American Society of Agricultural Engineers, Order of the Engineer, American Nuclear Society, Institute of Biological Engineers, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, American Solar Energy Society/International Solar Energy Society, Philippine American Academy of Science and Engineering, Western Forestry Conservation Nursery Association, Intertribal Nursery Council, and Lions Club International).

For more information about the Lecture, venue and facilities, and how to get there, contact:

Dr. Roberto C. Guarte, Dean of Engineering and Agri-Industries
Leyte State University,Visca, Baybay, Leyte 6521-A
Tel: (053)-563-7117
Mobile: 0928-2111-415
Email: guarte_rc@yahoo.com

The registration cost is P500. The registration covers lunch, snack, lecture materials, and a certificate of attendance. There are a limited number of spaces, so register now.