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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Diocese of Balanga reiterates stand against revival of BNPP

Diocese of Balanga reiterates stand against revival of BNPP

Published Jan 17, 2023 10:06 am

The Diocese of Balanga in Bataan reiterated its stand against the revival of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) that will help augment the power supply in the country.

Balanga Bishop Ruperto C. Santos (MANILA BULLETIN / FILE PHOTO)

In a pastoral letter, Bishop Ruperto C. Santos expressed solidarity with the priests, local officials and the faithful of Bataan in their stand against the revival of the BNPP which they said poses great risks to the health of the residents and the environment aside from the high cost needed for its revival

“There are serious factors associated with nuclear energy such as risks and cost. While nuclear power is cheap to operate and produces inexpensive fuel, the cost to build and maintain the facility is exorbitant. It will cost billions of dollars,” stressed Bishop Santos in his letter.

Bishop Santos said that based on a study conducted by the State Atomic Energy Corporation of Russia (Rosatom) in April 2018, Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Igor Khovaev noted that the BNPP should no longer be revived as it is already outdated.

“What most people do not realize is they think they will save a lot of money from their electric bill. However, the cost of construction and maintenance will be an added burden to our already deep national debt, which will be paid for by our very own citizens for generations to come,” the bishop said.

The Church leader cited other safer renewable energy sources like wind, water, and solar energy. He stressed that the Diocese of Balanga stands firm in its decision against the use of the BNPP which he said is destructive to both life and the environment.

“The Diocese of Balanga has spoken and will stand firm again. We acted then and will continue to act today. We are against it. Stop it. Enough. We do not agree. We are against any ideas or plans for the rehabilitation of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant,” said Bishop Santos.

The BNPP was constructed in 1984 during the term of the late Ferdinand Marcos. The Department of Energy (DOE), National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR), and the Korean Electric Power Company (KEPCO) said the government needs to spend about one billion dollars in four years to rehabilitate the 631-megawatt power plant.

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