Activists greet nuke delegates at plant

MORONG, Bataan: A group of anti-nuclear power activists and a much smaller group of nuclear-energy supporters on Saturday held separate rallies as delegates of the Nuclear Power Forum arrived at the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) in Morong town.

The anti-nuke protesters, who belong to the Nuclear-Free Bataan Movement-Network (NFBM-Net), waved green-colored flaglets and unfurled streamers like “Lansagin ang Plantang Nukleyar [Dismantle the Nuclear Plant].”

They also displayed a giant padlock “to proclaim that the Philippines is a nuke-free zone and investors are advised to keep out.”

Father Fernando Loreto, Morong chapter chairman of the NFBM-Net, cited two major reasons for their opposition to BNPP’s activation: geologically, the plant sits on a volcano; and its construction was marred by corruption with use of allegedly sub-standard materials.

He said that they will continue opposing the possible use of the plant. “May geologist sila na nagsasabi na walang [panganib], pero may geologist din kami na nagsasabing delikado ito [They have a geologist who said that there’s no danger, but we also have one who says that there is],” the priest said.

“Ipinipilit nilang tama eh mali naman. Halimbawa, saan nila itatago ang toxic wastes? [They insist that it’s right when it’s wrong. For example, where will they keep the toxic wastes?],” he added.

Loreto also said that Bataeños have made it clear that the BNPP is a no-no for them and their protest showed in their “unwelcome greeting” to the delegates touring the plant.

Near the BNPP gate, however, some nuclear-energy supporters stood and carried some posters seeking the plant’s activation.

Daniel Bantugan, leader of the pro-nuke rallyists, said that “[Enerhiyang] nukleyar ang kailangan para umunlad ang bansa at matugunan ang [ating] kahirapan [Nuclear (energy) is needed so the country can prosper and respond to (our) poverty].”

Mauro Marcelo Jr., head of the nuclear core group of the National Power Corp., briefed the delegates of the Nuclear Power Forum on the BNPP before they toured the plant, starting from the third floor where giant turbines and generators of the plant are located.

He explained that the forum was organized by the Singapore-based Global Media Group “to bring in players in the nuclear field.” He said that interested parties from France, Japan and Korea have submitted their intent to build a nuclear power plant in the country.

He also said that the BNPP is one of the options they are considering, depending on the government’s policy on whether to revive it or build a new one.

Marcelo added that the Department of Energy will start the feasibility study by next year.

He said that he is all for nuclear power, arguing that it does not contribute much to global warming because carbon emissions from the wind are even higher.

According to him, another major advantage of nuclear power is that it is cheaper and has a stable price than coal. “Ang halaga ng coal depende sa market price, pero ang sa nuclear power steady lang [The price of coal depends on the market price, while the price of nuclear energy is steady],” he said.

Marcelo said that based on studies, the BNPP needs $1 million to be able to operate. This includes training, licensing and other incremental expenses. –ERNIE B. ESCONDE, Manila Times