MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines may turn to nuclear energy to solve power shortages in the impoverished nation, President Benigno Aquino said Monday.
“We are studying the possibility of using nuclear energy as a source of power,” Aquino, who took office on June 30, told reporters. “I’m awaiting the Department of Energy secretary’s recommendations.”
He said the technology could come from South Korea, without elaborating.
But he said he was reluctant to rebuild a plant completed a quarter of a century ago under the Marcos regime but never used.
Aquino’s statement came four months after a cousin, House of Representatives member Mark Cojuangco, inspected a turbine generator and other nuclear equipment being auctioned by South Korea.
Cojuangco has also said the government should seriously consider reviving the Bataan nuclear power plant, which was completed in 1984 after eight years of construction by the government of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.
Built 60 miles (100 kilometers) north of Manila at a cost of 2.3 billion dollars, the plant was hounded by controversy and has never produced power.
International inspectors who visited the plant shortly after Marcos was ousted by a “people power” revolt in 1986 declared it substandard and unsafe because it was built near a volcano and earthquake fault lines.
Aquino said on Monday he was not keen on rebuilding the plant, citing safety concerns and saying it would be costly to the cash-strapped government.
“I am really bothered. I have a lot of apprehensions with regards to the Bataan nuclear power plant,” he said.
The Philippines relies mostly on geothermal and hydroelectric dams to produce its power, but a lack of investment in recent years has contributed to energy shortfalls for the fast-growing population of 92 million people.
Drought plus frequent breakdowns of facilities exacerbated the problems this year, leading to rotating blackouts in parts of Manila and deeper energy shortfalls in the less developed south of the country. –Agence France-Presse
World Day for Safety and Health at Work
“Safety and health at work every day!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations against serious violations of Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government
(NUG) of Myanmar.
Reject Military!
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Monthly Observances:
March – Women’s Role in History Month
April – Month of Planet Earth
Weekly Observances:
Last Week of March: Protection and Gender Fair Treatment of the Girl Child Week
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Mar 25 – International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transallantic Slave Trade
Mar 27– Earth Hour
Apr 21 – Civil Service Day
Apr 22 – World Earth Day
Apr 28 – World Day for Safety and Health at Work
