By Katrina Gracia Consebido
The Department of Energy (DOE) is studying the possible revival of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, its official said Wednesday, May 25.
This after President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. recently met South Korean Ambassador to Manila Kim Inchul to discuss a proposal on reviving the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.
“Narinig po natin na si presumptive President Ferdinand Marcos is seriously reconsidering nuclear power, including the revival of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant,” DOE Undersecretary Gerardo Erguiza Jr. said in the Laging Handa briefing.
“According to previous studies naman po ‘no, subject of course to the ramping up of a regulatory framework – ang ibig sabihin, dapat nandoon iyong regulation rules natin at regulatory body, subject po doon – pwede na ho namang magkaroon ng Nuclear Power Plant na bago o kaya ang rehabilitation ng Bataan Nuclear Power Plant,” Erguiza added.
Erguiza said the DOE is “studying and researching well” to ensure the safety of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.
“Nakabuo tayo ng isang study, the nuclear infrastructure review at ang mga problema dito na nakita natin sa infrastructure ng Pilipinas when it comes to nuclear power, very integrated work plan addressing all the problems,” he continued.
“Ito ay isang literature, isang pinag-aralang study, naka-submit po sa International Energy Agency at mayroon tayong country nuclear infrastructure profile na naka-submit na po doon, na kumbaga, kung mayroong isang nuclear power plant na gusto ay nuclear power provider, gustong magpatayo ay nandoon na po iyong ating database. How prepared we are and what are the things to do – that includes safety, of course.” – gb
