MANILA, Philippines — Several groups have denounced the Japanese government’s act of disposing of nuclear wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean.
In a media forum on Thursday, fisherfolk, environment, and anti-nuclear advocacy groups voiced opposition against the disposal.
Earth Island Institute, an environmental advocacy group, said that the marine fauna, particularly in the Babuyan Marine Corridor located in northern Luzon, will be heavily affected by the disposal.
“Ang unang maapektuhan diyan, ‘yong northern part ng ating kapuluan, ‘yong bahagi ng Cagayan, kami po sa Earth Island Institute nababahala kami kasi ‘yong part na ‘yan ‘yong tinatawag na Babuyan Marine Corridor. Advocacy namin ay may kaugnayan sa marine animals, mga marine wildlife, at nababahala po kami na posibleng magkaroon ng epekto ‘yan sa marine animals na nandiyan sa bahagi na ‘yan ng Pilipinas,” Robert Medrano, a member of Earth Island institute said.
(The first to be affected there is the northern part of our archipelago, the part in Cagayan. We at Earth Island Institute are concerned because that part is called the Babuyan Marine Corridor. Our advocacy is linked with marine animals and marine wildlife, and we are concerned that the disposal may have an adverse effect in that part of the Philippines.)
Furthermore, fisherfolk advocacy group National Federation of Small Fisherfolk Organizations in the Philippines national spokesperson Ronnel Arambulo said that millions of fishers whose livelihood relies on the Pacific Ocean would be affected.
“Kaya kung magpapatuloy ito, tiyak po na maapektuhan nila ang ating mayamang pangisdaan at tiyak na maaapektuhan po ang milyong-milyong mangingisda sa ating bansa at mga mamamayan ng ating bansa at umaasa sa Pacific Ocean,” Arambulo said.
(If the disposal pushes through, this will certainly affect our rich fisheries, and the numerous fisherfolk of our country, and those who rely upon the Pacific Ocean.)
Meanwhile, a group that seeks a nuclear-free Bataan said that the Japanese government failed to see the dangers that it could cause to the environment, as well as to the food security of countries.
“This move does not only disregard the public safety but also jeopardizes the environment, food security, and the livelihood of the fishers who depend on the sea,” Nuclear Free Bataan Movement representative Emily Fajardo said.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said in its statement on Thursday that the country will see this issue from a “science- and fact-based perspective” and will prioritize the protection and preservation of the marine environment.
READ: PH vows to protect marine environment as Japan plans to release radioactive water
“The Philippines continues to look at this issue from a science- and fact-based perspective and its impact on the waters in the region. As a coastal and archipelagic State, the Philippines attaches utmost priority to the protection and preservation of the marine environment,” the statement said.
“The Philippines recognizes the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) technical expertise on this matter,” it added.
The IAEA, an organization within the United Nations, approved Japan’s plan in July.
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