Malacañang allayed public fears over President Marcos' renewed push for nuclear energy, stressing that the government will not proceed with any initiative that would endanger Filipinos.

Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said that once the government decides to pursue nuclear energy, necessary studies will be conducted and safeguards will be put in place.

Castro also said that during the President's bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, he also pointed out that it is not easy to explain the safety aspects of nuclear energy.

"At sinisigurado naman po na kapag ito po ay pinasok po natin, ang pag-aaral po na ito ay dapat na kumpleto at ang mga polisiya na gagamitin dito ay hindi po itatago sa inyo (And he assured the public that if the country decides to pursue nuclear energy, the necessary studies will be thorough, and the policies governing it will not be kept from the public)," Castro said in a Palace briefing on Wednesday, July 29.

According to the Palace official, the Department of Energy (DOE), through the Nuclear Energy Program Inter-Agency Committee, is already carrying out its work using a whole-of-government approach.

She stressed that the country must comply with safety, security, and safeguards requirements that are also consistent with the standards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

"So, hindi po susuong ang ating pamahalaan, ang administrasyon kung ito po ay mapu-put in danger ang ating mga kababayan, magkakaroon nang hindi magandang sitwasyon o kundisyon kasi ang inuuna po ng Pangulo at ng administrasyon ay ang safety ng ating mga kababayan (The government and the administration will not move forward with any initiative that could endanger the public or lead to unfavorable conditions because the President and the administration's foremost priority is the safety of the Filipino people)," Castro said.

In his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), Marcos renewed his call to revisit nuclear power generation, saying the technology could help reinforce the country's energy security while reducing electricity costs.

"Pushing the envelope further, perhaps it is time for us to revisit nuclear energy production," Marcos said.