Realign BNPP maintenance funds to economic programs — Hontiveros

Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (AFP FILE PHOTO)

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Risa Hontiveros is pushing for the realignment of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant’s (BNPP) maintenance funds to economic programs.

“Radioactive waste will outlive not just all of us alive today but also the succeeding generations. It can prove fatal and cost people’s lives for thousands of years. Dahil hindi pa tayo makakampante sa ligtas na paggamit ng nuclear energy, dapat buksan na rin ang diskusyon kung may halaga pa ba sa bansa ang BNPP,” Hontiveros said in a statement on Friday.

(Since we are not complacent about the safe use of nuclear energy, we need to open the debate on the BNPP’s significance to the country.)

“We have to weigh our options carefully. Klaro na hindi tayo magiging handa na buhayin ang BNPP. Kaya kung anumang ginagastos natin para sa maintenance niya, dapat munang ituon na ito sa mga programang makakalutas sa ating krisis sa ekonomiya,” she stressed.

(It is clear that we will not be ready to revive the BNPP. So, the cost of maintenance should instead be realigned to programs that could solve our economic woes.)

The viability of the BNPP had been hounded for years, with its location being on top of Mt. Natib, making it more prone to the impact of earthquakes and potential eruptions.

Based on a Vera Files report, the government paid P64.7 billion for the construction of the NBPP which has never been used.

The country continues to spend P40 to P50 million yearly for the power plant’s maintenance.

“Kaban ng bayan ang ginagastos para sa plantang hindi naman ginagamit at dapat hindi na gamitin dahil sa mga panganib na dala ng nuclear waste.

(The country is paying for the maintenance of the power plant that is not being used and should not be used because of the dangers posed by nuclear waste.)

“Sa taas ng mga presyo ng bilihin at sa kawalan ng disenteng trabaho, common sense naman na dapat ang milyon-milyong piso na ito ay napupunta sa pagpapagaan ng buhay ng Pilipino,” Hontiveros said.

(With the rising cost of goods and the lack of  jobs, it should be common sense that the millions spent for the BNPP be used instead to uplift the lives of Filipinos.)

Scientists have earlier said that the BNPP will not solve the country’s energy crisis, contrary to the claim of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (—Joshua Go, INQUIRER.net trainee)

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