Group slams BNPP revival proponent for ‘misleading reports’

BAYOMBONG, Philippines - Advocates against the planned re-opening of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP), scored Rep. Mark Cojuangco for allegedly misleading the public by failing to mention the plant’s billion-dollar post operational costs during the latest hearing by the House Appropriations Committee. Rep. Cojuangco (5th Dist. Pangasinan) is the author of the controversial House Bill 04631 that mandates the immediate re-commissioning and commercial operation of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP). In a statement, Dr. Giovanni Tapang, spokesperson of NO to BNPP Revival! (NO to BNPP!), and chairperson of scientists’ group Agham, alleged that Cojuangco’s billion-dollar financial scheme for the plant’s rehabilitation and eventual decommissioning is anomalous and unjust. The payment scheme, according to Tapang will be sourced from ordinary electric consumers who will be charged an additional P0.10/kilowatt hour for 5 years and P0.141/kilowatt hour more for thirty years as fund for cleaning up and waste disposal fees after the plant’s lifespan would have been achieved. Clemente Bautista, national coordinator of Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment and co-convenor of NO to BNPP!, claimed that that Cojuangco whose family is reportedly set to take over Petron, the country’s biggest oil refinery and has huge investments in the energy sector, is pushing for new loans from foreign sources to be paid by the Filipino people. “The Arroyo administration is notorious of massive corruption when it comes to multi-billion dollar projects. Who can forget the NBN-ZTE deal, IMPSA, Northrail project, Fertilizer scam, and now the rigging of World Bank-assisted projects expose?" he said. During Wednesday's hearing, Cojuango announced amendments to his bill, including a “validation process" which will determine if the BNPP should be immediately demolished for "salvage value recovery" if the findings show adverse results. However, Cojuangco reportedly barred environmentalist and former technical consultant of the Aquino administration Nicanor Perlas, from disclosing details of the commissioned investigation on the plant in 1986 which resulted in the discovery of 40,000 defects. In the report, Cojuancgo said Perlas’ statements were mere “hearsay" until a copy of it had been produced Perlas replied that the records are available at the Senate and Office of the President. Floro Taguinod, GMANews.TV