Science advocates renew call against Bataan nuclear power plant revival
Agham members. (Photo by Jean Mangaluz/INQUIRER.net)
MANILA, Philippines – A group of science and technology advocates has renewed its call to stop moves by the government to revive the mothballed Bataan nuclear power plant (BNPP).
Members of the AGHAM-Advocates of Science and Technology for the People (Agham) made the call during an activity in UP Diliman to mark the declaration of martial law.
According to Jona Yang, Agham Secretary General, the plan of the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos .Jr to revive the BNPP could prove dangerous.
“Recently may mga pronouncement si Marcos administration na gusto niyang buhayin ang Bataan nuclear power plant pati ang pagtayo ng modular power plant sa bansa na batay sa analysis ng AGHAM at iba pang makabayang siyentista, delikado,” she told INQUIRER.net on Wednesday.
FILE PHOTO: The Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) is seen during a media tour around the BNPP compound in Morong town, Bataan province, Philippines September 16, 2016. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco/File Photo
(Recently, the Marcos administration had pronouncements indicating that it wants to revive the Bataan nuclear power plant, as well as build modular power plants in the country. Based on the analyses of Agham and by other nationalistic scientists, it is dangerous).
READ: Time is ripe to examine state policy on nuclear energy, says Bongbong Marcos
Yang said operating nuclear power plants in the country could pose dangers to safety and to the environment.
“Delikado ang muling pagpapagana ng BNPP at pagpapatayo ng mga modular nuclear power plants sa bansa, dahil sa usapin ng safety: saan ang waste disposal ng mga nuclear waste? At yung nga, ang tinutungtungan ng Bataan nuclear power plant ay sa Mt. Natib, at ano siya, location niya is on an active fault,” she explained.
(It is dangerous to revive the BNPP and build modular nuclear power plants in the country. In terms of safety, where would you dispose of the nuclear waste? The Bataan nuclear power plant is on Mt. Natib, and its location is on an active fault).
The BNPP remains unused since 1986 when the administration of the late former president Ferdinand Marcos ended. The late former president is the father of current President Marcos.
RELATED STORIES:
Gov’t expert urges adoption of small nuclear reactors
Anti-nuclear power group opposes possible rehab of Bataan plant
