A LAWMAKER has called on the energy department to “proceed with utmost transparency” in the conduct of a feasibility study on the inclusion of nuclear power to the country’s energy mix.
Senate Committee on Energy chairman Sherwin Gatchalian said Thursday that transparency should be the guiding post from day one on the conduct of the study.
“The conduct of this study should proceed with utmost transparency to the public in every step of the way. The public should be well-informed on the inherent risk and the potential of nuclear power. Only an open and free discussion of this technology will deepen the comprehension of the public,” the senator said.
Nuclear energy, he commented, is a “complicated” energy source and a “very risky business.”
“The world is always in constant debate on the adoption of nuclear power because of its inherent risk to public welfare. Moreover, it is an energy source that is very complicated and demands high-level knowledge to fully maximize its utilization without sacrificing public safety,” said Gatchalian.
Malacañang signed last week Executive Order (EO) 116, which paves the way for the creation of the Nuclear Energy Program Inter-Agency Committee (NEP-IAC).
The DOE will lead the committee, while the Department of Science and Technology is the
committee vice chair. The interagency body is mandated to primarily conduct a study for the adoption of a National Position on a Nuclear Energy Program (NEP).
The NEP-IAC will also evaluate and formulate a national strategy to include a road map and timeline in the preparation of a NEP; review the existing legal framework, study the viability of nuclear energy, and recommend the necessary steps in the utilization of nuclear energy, as well as existing facilities such as but not limited to the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant; create subcommittees to facilitate decision-making on various issues that may arise in the course of study; promulgate guidelines and rules for the effective implementation of EO 116; and perform other functions as the President may direct.
Groups concerned
Consumer group Power for People Coalition (P4P), meanwhile, condemned the issuance of the EO.
“We are dismayed at the casual disregard for the risks of nuclear power to a country like the Philippines, vulnerable as it is to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and the threat of climate change,” said P4P Convenor Gerry Arances.
“We have grave reservations about the ability of the DOE to manage nuclear power without causing a Chernobyl or Fukushima. If we need more power, the renewable energy potential of our country is already at 250 gigawatt hours, and that excludes solar energy.
“It is an untapped resource that is safe, reliable and perfect for scaling from small communities to big cities. We invite the DOE to review our Philippine Energy Plan and Power Development Plan toward increasing the share of renewable energy,” he added.
According to DOE Secretary Alfonso Cusi, EO 116 was signed by President Duterte on July 24. Cusi called it a “major step toward the realization of a Philippine nuclear energy program.”
“The Department of Energy welcomes EO 116 as a major step toward the realization of a Philippine nuclear energy program—one which would benefit our people by enhancing our energy supply levels and help shield our consumers from traditional power price volatilities.”
Another consumer group, Laban Konsyumer Inc., expressed concern on the issuance of the EO.
“LKI does not support at all a study of the nuclear energy. It is a waste of public funds,” said LKI president Victor Dimagiba in a text message. Instead, LKI urged the DOE to craft a “viable five- to 10-year Energy Plan.”
“The country needs more use of indigenous energy resources. Then you add the vast gas resources underneath the EEZ of the country in the West Philippine Sea,” said Dimagiba.
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