Ka Leody opposes nuclear power as alternative energy source

Presidential candidate Leody de Guzman on Monday said that he is not in favor of the inclusion of nuclear energy in the country’s power mix as it is dangerous and costly unlike renewable energy.

During the PreSIYENSIYAbles interview hosted by SEDS Philippines, the labor leader cited countries such as Japan which have a high level of knowledge on technology yet still experienced untoward incidents due to nuclear energy.

“Bukod pa, ‘yung nuclear energy napakatagal magawa. Parang sa average, nasa 14 years bago maitayo. Panagalawa, napakamahal. Pangatlo, delikado dahil pagkanakatayo na ‘yan ay biglang bombahin ‘yan,” he said.

(Aside from that, nuclear energy takes a very long time to produce. It could take 14 years on average before it is built. Second, it is very expensive. Third, it could be dangerous when it gets bombed.)

“Generally, sa kabuuan, hindi talaga ako sang-ayon dahil ‘yung nuclear energy ay nagce-create din ng source para mag-add o mag-enrich ng ng uranium at protanium na nagagamit doon sa nuclear arm. Parang walang maganda eh,” he added.

(I don't really agree because nuclear energy also creates a source to add or enrich the uranium and protanium that can be used to make nuclear arms. There seems to be nothing good there.)

De Guzman thus pointed out that his administration will instead fortify the renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydro, which are cheaper, cleaner, and more labor-intensive.

“Ako ay mas doon pokus sa pagtutulak ng enerhiya mula sa renewable at nakakapag-comply pa tayo sa ating commitment sa laban ng buong ng mundo paglaban sa climate change dahil ang global warming ay pabilis na nang pabilis ang pag-init at nasa level na tayo ng climate emergency,” he said.

(I will focus more on pushing for renewable energy so we could also comply with our commitment of the whole world against climate change because global warming is here and we are at the level of a climate emergency.)

President Rodrigo Duterte also recently issued executive order (EO) 164 to tap nuclear power as an energy source along with other alternative energy resources, saying this is needed to achieve the country's growth targets.

The EO also mandates the Nuclear Energy Program Inter-Agency Committee (NEP-IAC) to collate all audits and recommendations, conduct further studies and assessments and if necessary, and make recommendations on the use and viability of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) and the establishment of other facilities for the utilization of nuclear energy.

The Department of Energy (DOE), meanwhile, is proposing to the House of Representatives a measure creating the Commission on Nuclear Energy.—LDF, GMA News