By Myris Lee
Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary Gerardo Erguiza Jr. said they are passing the restoration of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant to the upcoming administration of president-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
In the June 7 Laging Handa briefing, Erguiza said DOE already formed a framework under President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration on the rehabilitation of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.
“Mayroon tayong nuclear energy framework na nabuo natin nitong time ni President Duterte at malaking bagay ito para sa pag-umpisa ng nuclear plants po ng ating incoming President,” Erguiza said.
He added that Philippine Nuclear Research Institute Director Carlo Arcilla is pushing for the adoption of small modular reactors (SMRs) instead of refurbishing the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.
SMRs are nuclear fission reactors that are smaller than conventional nuclear reactors.
Erguiza said SMRs are more acceptable for the Filipinos than the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant “which may cause a spark of debate like in the past.”
However, Erguiza stressed that they are already passing the decision about the revival of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant to the incoming Marcos administration.
“But we trust, na with the incoming president, kung nadesisyunan ng ating presidente na to take the bull by its horn, once and for all pwede naman. Kasi legacy project naman ito at nagkaroon ng expert study naman dito ang [Korean Hydro Nuclear Power Company] at ang Rosatom ng Russia na sinasaad nila na ang pag-rehabilitate ng [Bataan Nuclear Power Plant] ay talagang pwedeng-pwede,” he said. – gb
