Cojuangco says gov’t dragging its foot on nuclear power option

MORONG, Bataan — Pangasinan 2nd District Rep. Mark Cojuangco blamed the national government for dragging its feet on nuclear energy, saying he was disappointed by the lack of firm resolve to operate the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) in this coastal town.

Speaking before a group of reporters who toured the BNPP facilities on Thursday, Sept. 24, Cojuangco also blamed the media for its apparent indifference to the nuclear issue.

He criticized Bataan Gov. Jose Enrique Garcia III and Bataan First District Rep. Albert Garcia for not initiating discussions in Bataan about the potential impact on electricity prices of including nuclear energy in the country’s energy mix.

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In a statement, Cojuangco said, “As other countries continue to expand their nuclear energy programs, the Philippines faces recurring power shortages, with yellow and red alerts declared across various regions.”

He said reopening the Bataan plant could further strengthen the country’s energy portfolio and keep pace with progress made in other nations such as Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia.

In previous pronouncements, Garcia said a nuclear plant is no longer needed because of safety concerns, given the present economic landscape in Bataan, which hosts numerous freeports.

Garcia had pointed out in previous discussions that the mothballed BNPP facility was no longer viable after four decades of being idle.

The Sangguniang Bayan of Morong has passed a resolution declaring the municipality a no-nuclear area. /das