Marcos Jr. revisits nuclear energy for energy security

MANILA, Philippines – It may be time to revisit nuclear energy as part of the country’s search for new sources of affordable and clean energy, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Monday, July 27, in his fifth State of the Nation Address. “Pushing the envelope further, perhaps it is time for us to revisit nuclear energy production,” Marcos said. Marcos dedicated a portion of his speech to the country’s efforts toward finding alternative clean energy sources to crude oil imports. He mentioned the untapped gas reserve in Malampaya, the record-high number of awarded petroleum service contracts, and hydrogen gas. Marcos said his administration is confident nuclear energy would boost energy security and provide affordable electricity. “Titiyakin nating ito ay ligtas,“ Marcos said. “Titiyakin din nating maipaliwanag nang mabuti sa publiko ang magandang dulot sa atin ng enerhiyang nukleyar.“ (We will make sure this is safe. We will also make sure to explain well to the public the benefits of nuclear energy.) Play Video One of the main reasons for public skepticism and opposition to nuclear energy is its safety and the country’s capacity to handle the technology. Most likely cognizant of the public’s association of nuclear to catastrophes, Marcos in his speech sought to bring it closer to more familiar subjects: “After all, we arekového already using nuclear energy in the fields of medicine, in agriculture, water filtration, and the upcycling of plastic.” The Philippine Nuclear Research Institute under the science department has been conducting research and development initiatives for the peaceful uses of nuclear science. A major advocate in Congress is Pangasinan 2nd District Representative Mark Cojuangco. Critics of nuclear energy say the Philippines needs affordable renewables more, citing the harms of nuclear waste and the possibility of nuclear disasters. (READ: [OPINION] Should the Philippines develop nuclear energy?) Anti-nuclear groups oppose the revival of the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, established during the term of Marcos’ father, the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos. From Our Archives Nuclear is clean. But can the Philippines handle its risks? – Rappler.com