THE Korean scientist who perfected the process of extracting bio-ethanol from red algae visited Bohol anew for tests to determine the suitability of its seawaters to the propagation of the seaweeds. Dr. Gyungsoo Kim, chief executive officer of Biolsystems Co,, Ltd. with address at the West Tower , Yeoksam-Dong, Kangnan-Gu, Seoul , Korea , brought three research fellows for an initial investigation of the marine environmental conditions in Talibon town. Kim and Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the project last July at the Bohol Tropics Resort in Tagbilaran City

The MOU prepared by First Secretary of the Korean Embassy Young Joon Kim who is a lawyer and Provincial Legal Officer Handel Lagunay specified that Bohol will supply three hectares as test area for aquaculture, 500 hectares for seedling plantation area and a minimum of 25,000 hectares up to 100,000 hectares for the aquaculture proper – for 50 years and extendable for another 25 years as allowed by existing Philippine laws, rules and regulations on investment. The MOU further specified that Bohol will make available 60 hectares for the ethanol production factory and residential area for the workers, and facilitate the grant of incentives like tax holidays, among others. Aumentado said the 60-hectare area will be cut out of the consolidated 100 hectares in Talibon now collating documents and completing requirements for its declaration as a special economic zone (SEZ). Biolsystems plans to build a US$100-million facility that will need more than 300 workers for ethanol extraction in the area. The MOU tasked the province, in coordination with the military and the police, to secure it.

On top of leading investments for ethanol production and post-harvest industries to Bohol , it undertakes to conduct research and development on improved cultivation methods, specifically for the higher yield algae species and its farming and marketing methods. Aumentado expressed elation when the MOU stated that Biolsystems will give preference to Bohol residents when hiring their workers and ensure that the projects covered by the MOU will not destroy Bohol 's environment nor impair its eco-tourism status and potentials. Following a courtesy call on Talibon Mayor Juanario Item, Kim and his party, escorted by personnel of the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) who take charge of marine aquaculture, and the town's fisheries watch team who acted as guides, went out to sea on board a pumpboat.

Along the way to the seaweeds farm of Municipal Councilor Gershon Dulang, Kim and Juwan Noh, Ho Jeh Lee and Sang Uk Lee took turns in testing the salinity of the water. At the periphery of the farm, two of them dove and took samples of the sea bottom that turned out to be coarse sand. Kim said the variety he wants to propagate – Eucheuma cottonii – grows better in muddy bottom. The guides that included a marine biologist who scuba dived recently in different spots in the vicinity immediately pointed to the side with the muddy bottom. Because of the volume Kim needs, he said he will teach the locals deep sea cottonii farming, and introduce driers to make the process quicker. Because of the volume Kim needs, he said he will teach the locals deep sea cottonii farming, and introduce driers to make the process quicker.

The team met a smaller pumpboat loaded with newly harvested algae of the espinosum variety that, still wet, sells at only P2 a kilo. Kim's team nonetheless got a sample to sun-dry for study purposes. From the sea, the team visited the proposed SEZ in Barangay Bagacay. Kim and Noh proceeded to Cebu that same night to scout around for buoys and ropes for the seedling farm. The scientist said if they find good quality materials there, this would mean less freight and handling fees as they will not need to import them from Korea anymore. On the other hand, the two Lees returned to Talibon the following day to conduct more tests and look for temporary living quarters until such time that they can build their housing units near the plant site. Kim thanked Item for the support, including the continued use of a pumpboat to further check the sea and the sea bottom to identify ideal sites for the seedling farm.