Lacson open to safe, science-based revival of Bataan Nuclear Power Plant

STA. ROSA, Nueva Ecija — Presidential aspirant Panfilo Lacson on Sunday said he is open to the safe and science-based revival of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP).

“Number one, safety baka magaya tayo sa Chernobyl [accident] at tsaka sa ibang sumabog,” he said in a press conference.

(Number one, we should take into consideration the safety because we might suffer the same accident in Chernobyl and other plants.)

“Tingnan natin. Let’s follow the science. Hindi puwedeng just because gusto nating ma-solve ang problema ng kuryente e sige na, buksan na nating ang nuclear power plant. Baka ang buwelta sa atin pag pumutok ‘yan, ‘pag sumabog, lalong matindi ang tama sa Pilipinas. So, tingnan nating mabuti hindi naman sarado [sa idea],” he added.

(We can look at it. Let’s follow the science. We should not open the nuclear power plant just because we want to solve the problem of electric supply because the country might suffer from possible incidents.)

Lacson was asked about the matter after fellow presidential candidates shared their positions on the use of nuclear energy.

On Saturday, presidential bet and Senator Manny Pacquiao proposed the construction of floating nuclear power plants to boost the country's energy supply and lower electricity bills.

However, he said he has no intention of reviving the BNPP.

Another presidential candidate, Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., has already expressed his desire to take a “second look” at the BNPP, according to UniTeam adviser Jonathan dela Cruz.

On the other hand, Lacson and running mate Senate President Vicente Sotto III said subsidizing the public transportation sector is more doable than providing fuel subsidy.

Lacson opposed the proposal of Marcos Jr.’s camp to revive the Oil Price Stabilization Fund (OPSF), citing lack of funds.

“Mayroong nag-suggest ata na ibalik ang Oil [Price] Stabilization Fund nung panahon ni Presidente Marcos pero sa ngayon ‘di kakayanin ng gobyerno i-subsidize ang presyo ng fuel. Mamamatay ang ating treasury hindi kakayanin. Hindi doable ‘yon,” he said.

(Some one has suggested reviving the Oil Price Stabilization Fund during the time of President Marcos but our government cannot subsidize the price of fuel. Our treasury will run dry. That is not doable.)

Lacson said subsidies for the public transport sector could be funded by billions of public funds which were supposedly lost to corruption.

“Ang puwedeng i-subsidize e ‘yung public transport. Kukunin doon sa nawawala rin lang sa korapsyon. Kung mawawala ang korapsyon pwedeng kumuha doon at least para sa public transport,” he said.

(What we can subsidize is the public transport. We can get it from the funds which were lost to corruption. If we get rid of corruption in the government, we can provide subsidies at least for the public transportation sector.)

But Lacson said the implementation of this subsidy program should be monitored properly so it will not be subject to corruption.

According to Sotto, P700 billion worth of government funds are being lost to corruption.

“Kaya importante talagang suriin natin kung sino ang makaka-solve ng problema hindi ‘yung magaling lang na mangako… Sino talaga ang may plataporma na doable at tsaka alam ‘yung problema. Bukod sa alam ang problema, alam ang solusyon,” Lacson said.

(That is why it is very important to choose and identify the candidate who doesn’t just promise things but someone who could solve the problem. Someone who has platforms that are doable and someone who knows the problem. Aside from being aware of the problem, we should choose someone who has the solutions.)

Lacson and Sotto’s 2022 campaign centers on good governance, anti-corruption, and budget reforms.

Their campaign slogan is “Aayusin ang Gobyerno, Aayusin ang Buhay ng Bawat Pilipino” (Fix the Government, Fix the Lives of Every Filipino) and “Uubusin ang Magnanakaw” (Get Rid of the Thieves). — BM, GMA News