Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Friday asked the Department of Energy to make public the results of its study on nuclear power to ensure transparency.
“The Senate has funded the Department of Energy’s nuclear research and feasibility study amounting to P266 million since 2018. This study should be made public in order for the Filipino people to understand the risks and benefits of nuclear power injected into our energy mix,” Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate committee on energy, said.
The DOE, in coordination with the Social Weather Stations, conducted a public perception survey on the use of nuclear energy in the country from April 27 to May 12, 2019. The survey was meant to provide a scientifically-established basis on the acceptability of nuclear energy for power generation.
The survey involved interviews with 4,250 Filipino adults aged 18 and above nationwide and covered 17 study regions.
It said the survey results indicated that nuclear energy should be entrenched in the energy mix and showed positive or favorable perception with 79 percent approval/acceptability for possible use (and rehabilitation) of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant and 65 percent approval/acceptability of building a new nuclear power plant.
Gatchalian said “transparency” is the most important factor in any discussions on nuclear power.
“Transparency is key in building the confidence of the public on the use of this complex source of power,” Gatchalian said.
He said establishing nuclear power from the ground up would entail numerous pieces of legislation and policies to ensure the safety of the public. With 6 session days left in the 18th Congress, there is no ample time to enact any nuclear power-related laws, he said.
Gatchalian said the next administration should continue the science-based research and study to determine whether the benefits of nuclear power outweigh the risks.
President Rodrigo Duterte signed on Feb. 28 Executive Order No. 164 entitled, “Adopting a National Position for a Nuclear Energy Program, and for other Purposes.”
Energy Undersecretary and chairperson of the DOE-Nuclear Energy Program Implementing Organization Gerardo Erguiza Jr. earlier said the country should consider the viability of nuclear energy development and utilization within the context of energy security, and not a political one.
“Adopting a nuclear program is not just about constructing nuclear power plants. It is a matter of energy and national security. Should it be decided in the future that the Philippines is fit and finally ready to embark on its nuclear energy journey, then we would be able to look back and appreciate this landmark issuance,” Erguiza said.
Erguiza said a clear national policy should be established, which would withstand administration changes and the nuclear energy program should be enacted into law to ensure strict adherence to all relevant standards.
He said NEP would be formulated under the guidance of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
“To prevent the polarizing experiences of the past from being repeated, strong public consultation and information campaigns must be rolled out to promote scientific findings on the benefits of nuclear energy use,” Erguiza said.