Bataan governor reiterates opposition to BNPP rehabilitation plan

BALANGA CITY, Bataan—Bataan Gov. Enrique Garcia has reiterated his strong opposition to the plan to rehabilitate the controversial Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP). The BNPP is in Morong town, Bataan.

The governor issued the statement amid rumors reportedly being spread by his political opponents here that he is, in fact, pro-BNPP operation.

The governor maintained that he does not want the rehabilitation of the BNPP, the same stand he had last year, when the issue floated anew with House Bill 4631 seeking the immediate recommissioning and commercial operation of the BNPP.

Garcia called the recent move of his political foes here another tactic to vilify him, particularly since many Bataan residents are against the rehabilitation of the BNPP. 

In opposing the recommissioning of the BNPP, he cited a study in the 1990s that found the BNPP to have 40,000 defects.

The governor was referring to the study commissioned by the government of then-President Corazon Aquino and conducted by 50 nuclear experts.

The governor pointed out that it will be another error for the Philippine government to appropriate another $1 billion for the rehabilitation of the BNPP when the majority of the Filipino people do not want the country to go “nuclear.”

He said the nuclear plant did not operate in 1986 because the majority of the Filipinos, including Bataan residents, were opposed to it.

The governor added that the BNPP is on an earthquake fault and is near two dormant volcanoes, Mount Natib and Mount Mariveles. The two volcanoes, warned the governor, could erupt any time just like Mount Pinatubo. –Butch Gunio / Correspondent, Businessmirror