Are you in favor of reactivating the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant?

Louella Brown, Baguio City: I am in favor of reactivating the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power plant. Experts should be hired to make it useful for the government.

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: No, reactivating the BNPP will be dangerous to us Bataeños because the BNPP site is on Mt. Natib, a sleeping volcano.

We wisk having a Chernobyl disaster

Miguelito Herrera, Cabanatuan City: No, it will be costly and may turn out to be another disastrous project in the making if reactivated just like what happened in Chernobyl in Russia.

Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City: It would require large sums to have the BNPP reactivated and besides, who would want another Chernobyl disaster?

Better find a new safer location

Marc Avisado, Vigan City: Filipino taxpayers wasted millions of dollars for nothing. It’s not safe to revive the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant because it sits on the slope of Mt. Natib, a dormant volcano, and is surrounded by two other volcanoes, Mt. Pinatubo and Mt. Mariveles. An eruption by any of these could result in mechanical problems, which could release radioactive material into the air, water and soil. There’s a fault line southward across the volcano for seven kilometers before disappearing beneath the sea, passing less than a kilometer away from the plant based on satellite images of Bataan and surrounding provinces. It’s better to find a new safer location to build a nuclear plant.

Felix Ramento, USA: No, let it stand as is to serve as a lasting reminder of the excesses of the Marcos regime. If at all, the site should be developed as a monument in memory of our ugly past. 

Lucas Banzon Madamba, USA: While reactivating the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant may be advantageous to some, it would also be risky because the plant is surrounded by some volcanoes, and an untimely eruption can stimulate the eventual breakdown and leakage of materials to different places in Bataan. It would be better to establish a new one somewhere less risky and more productive.

Edwin Chinel Monares, Rizal: No, the technology with which the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant was built is already obsolete and the wear and tear from all those years since it was mothballed may have already taken a toll on its structure. However, I am open to it provided that the newest technology is used in its construction and that the site will be away and relatively safe from earthquakes to ensure safety.

Benjamin Nillo, Las Piñas City: The Bataan Nuclear Power Plant should remain as it is. The site is not suited for a structure as dangerous as a nuclear power plant.

Cheapest source of energy

Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: Yes, because nuclear power is cost-efficient and a long-lasting source of energy.

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: In our search for alternative sources of energy, I think it’s but timely to reactivate the BNPP. A lot of Philippine money has already been poured into it.

Leandro Tolentino, Batangas City: Yes, the stoppage of the Bataan nuclear plant project due to political expediency during a popular administration is why we always have power shortages.

Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro City: BNPP reactivated or any other nuclear plant is okay with me. Japan has 53 nuclear power plants. We do not have even one. No wonder they are so progressive. It’s time to think nuclear for progress.

Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: Poor taxpayers even pay until now for a white elephant that was not only mothballed but also destined to rust, unless it is rehabilitated and put to good use. Ja Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: pan is also in the earthquake belt and belonging to the volcano ring of fire and yet it relies on nuclear energy. Why don’t we give BNPP a chance?

Nuclear power is one of the cleanest, safest, and cheapest sources of power. I favor the reactivation of the Bataan nuclear plant.

Joel Caluag, Bulacan: Yes, I would take a chance with the Bataan nuclear power plant. We are being nuked with high electricity charges anyway.

Romeo Caubat, Masbate: Yes, because of huge/enormous power needs, plus the fact that nuclear power plants are known for being the cheapest form of electricity.

Leonard Villa, Bataan: Yes, and we should rid ourselves of our fear of nuclear accidents because nuclear engineers have almost perfected the operation of nuclear power plants.

It can solve our looming power crisis

Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City: Yes, it was constructed from a loan we are paying for until now and nuclear power can solve our looming power crisis.

June Deoferio, Cavite: Yes, in order to lower down the price of electricity in our country and generate more jobs.

Elmo Cruz, Manila: If the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant is reactivated and operated, the Philippines may suddenly surge to economic stability as energy is the key to progress in this modern world. The setback, however, is if a simple mistake happens in the operation or if an earthquake happens or if a nearby volcano erupts, which could wipe out Luzon from the map and the remaining parts of Philippines have to start from ashes. I am in a quandary on how to decide on this delicate issue.

Dino Monzon, Caloocan City: Yes, the Bataan nuclear plant should be refurbished and activated. Nuclear power has more advantages and will alleviate our energy crisis once and for all.

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: Why not since it can help solve the power problem provided all safety measures are put in place?

Edwin Castillo, Tanauan City: Yes, the plant has already been there for over 30 years. It only needs restructuring of the electrical and mechanical systems.

Ernesto Oliquiano, Las Piñas City: Yes, the reactivation of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant will surely solve the persistent power shortages in Luzon and perhaps also lower the power costs for consumers. But first, the government should make sure that operating the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant would not pose any danger to the people around the plant. Second, the cost of rehabilitation, which will surely reach billions, should not be passed on to customers. Otherwise, let it be mothballed forever.

Alexander Raquepo, Ilocos Sur: Yes I am for the reactivation provided all safety nets are in place. First World countries have been using nuclear power plants for so long and these have been very helpful in their continued quest for economic development.

We can live without it

Dr. Jose Balcanao, Benguet: The government should not reactivate the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant for the primary purpose of securing the safety of the public. No one can be saved from the fatal consequences of nuclear power. It is against the right to existence of every human race. There are still many alternatives that we can resort to in addressing energy and power shortages. We can live without it.

Desuel Pardo, Mandaluyong City: We better find other means to cope with our power requirements than be exposed to fatal accidents.

Rey Onate, Palayan City: Not in favor. The idea should be totally scrapped. For more than three decades, existing sources of power have been good enough to support our needs.

Elizabeth Oximer, Negros Occidental: Eh bakit pa? Alternatives ang kailangan natin.

We should build a new one

Ruel Bautista, Laguna: No, but we should build a new one. Harnessing nuclear power, if done the proper way as advanced countries do, is the answer to our power woes.

Luisito Vallo, Pangasinan: No, I don’t think it’s a good idea as it may already be defective. But building another nuclear power plant in lieu of the BNPP is a good way of plugging the impending power shortage the country may experience in the future.

Lorenzo Fernandez Jr., Cabanatuan City: Reactivating BNPP means reviving also old protests coming from those against it. Rather than just reactivate it, we must build a new, complete structure to ensure safety and compliance to present quality standards.

Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: It’s been such a long time that the plant has been lying dormant and there will be concerns about gas leaks that can be harmful to humans. However, I am favor of constructing a new one for safety purposes, for reducing the cost of electricity and other benefits generated by a nuclear power plant.

Ferdinand Rafer, Cavite: Studies show that rehabilitating the BNPP costs more than building a new one, thus the logical choice is to construct a new one, which will be more technologically advanced.

It should be restudied

Nony de Leon, Malolos City: The use of the Bataan nuclear plant should be restudied, bearing in mind Andrew Jackson’s advice “Never to take counsel of your fears”.

Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: Before the Bataan nuclear plant project was conceptualized, a feasibility study said that the advantages outweighed the disadvantages. We borrowed huge sums to finance the project. However, the project was aborted when it was discovered that the original findings were false. Why think now of reactivating? Have the defects and risks factors been corrected? Without a valid and convincing reason, the reactivation of Bataan nuclear plant is not worth the discussion.

Ryan Pahimulin, Rizal: Just asking: Is the plant sitting atop a fault line? Is it already obsolescent?

These factors must be considered

Cris Rivera, Rizal: Yes, but before anything, BNPP’s facilities’ worthiness, after sitting there for over 20 years, must undergo a precise assessment.

Ishmael Q. Calata, Parañaque City: Before we answer this question, let’s consider the following: 1. Do we really need a nuclear power plant? 2. How safe is the site of the BNPP? 3. How much would it cost to put it in readiness for reactivation vis-a-vis the total cost of building a new one? Based on the energy needs of the country to be at par with some of our leading neighbors, there is no question that we need a nuclear power plant to augment what is now produced by bunker oil and hydropower plants. Therefore, if the mothballed BNPP structure is free from any defect and its site is safe and the cost of reactivating it is less than the cost of building a new one at another site, I am in favor of reactivating this one. It will surely bring down the cost of electricity especially for industrial use. Need, safety and cost are critical points to consider.

Elpidio Que, Vigan: The same kind of nuclear plant is said to be in earthquake-prone Japan, made of the same specs, yet it is serving the Land of the Rising Sun without the dreadful scenario that was sold to Tita Cory for her to decide to mothball the plant. I had an occasion to be illuminated by Prof. Butch Valdes on the matter sometime last year in Camp Crame. He is for the reactivation of the plant for reasons that it is as safe as those in Japan, as declared by foreign experts who came to investigate it. Only its computer technoloy needs to be upgraded.

Can we afford it?

L.C. Fiel, Quezon City: It would be too costly to rehabilitate the BNPP after it’s been mothballed for so long. Can we afford it? Then there’s the aspect of safety to consider.

Ruben Viray, Antipolo City: I am not in favor of the idea. Reactivating, maintaining, repairing and upgrading the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant will cost us a fortune. Might as well divert or spend the money on more worthwhile projects.

Johann Lucas, Quezon City: No, the plan to reactivate the BNPP is ridiculous and dangerous because taxpayers would have to cough up another billion dollars and the rehabilitation would cost the government more than if the government were to simply remove the value-added tax on oil and power.

Nuclear waste would pose a problem

Kelvin Casamayor, Ilocos Sur: No to BNPP reactivation. Nuclear energy is not just about sustainable energy but nuclear waste, too. Let’s tap green sources if possible. Isn’t it that the main reason it was closed was because it’s near a fault line? Why not harness other green energy sources like the famous windmills in Ilocos?

Ephraim Africa, Las Piñas City: The problem with the nuclear power plant is its nuclear waste and maintenance costs. Why not just put windmills along the long shorelines of our country?

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: There are pros and cons about the reactivation and eventual operation of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant. Philvolcs, DOST, DENR and NIGS have certified that the plant, though sitting on top of Mt. Natib, is safe as said volcano and Mt. Mariveles have been dormant for 10,000 years. Prof. Kevin Rodolfo says otherwise as Mt. Pinatubo erupted after many years of being dormant. Other scientists claim that nuclear waste would also pose a problem in keeping the environment safe. IAEA advised that commercial interest should not be preferred over safety issues. Others propose safe power generation through hydropower, geothermal, natural gas and solar system. The argument boils down to a choice between natural and man-made. As an advocate and believer of going back to basics as the proper way of living, I favor the former.

Better yet…

Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan: The Filipino people paid for it, and Herminio Disini is said to have profited from it as did former Pres. Marcos and other members of the gang. If at least we cannot make good use of it, let those who gained from the transaction suffer by garnishing their assets. Jail them, let them fry under the sun. Make them suffer.

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.

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