Alternative use for Bataan nuclear plant sought

MANILA, Philippines – A Bataan lawmaker reiterated her consistent petition for an alternative use of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) in view of the nuclear disaster that hit Japan.

Rep. Herminia Roman has filed House Resolution 1188, urging the Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Tourism for another uses of the BNPP.

The resolution was filed last March 17, but it remained pending with the Committee on Energy since March 23.

Roman called on the government to finally decide the future of the mothballed BNPP as debates on its opening continue with most people centering their concerns on the safety and the economic implications of its operations.

She said the adjoining areas of BNPP can be converted into an eco-tourism destination or into other productive and commercial uses where the involvement of the private sector can be encouraged to hasten economic growth in the area.

She added that the BNPP may still be utilized by the government for power generation by converting it into a natural gas or hydrogen-fired power plant. –Jun Pasaylo, Philippine Star