Save $2.2-B Bataan nuclear plant – lawmakers

MANILA, Philippines - Two Central Luzon congresswomen has asked Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla to save the $2.2-billion Bataan nuclear power plant by providing it with maintenance funds.

Pangasinan Rep. Kimi Cojuangco said she was appalled by the decision of the Aquino administration to no longer provide P45 million for the upkeep of the plant in the 2014 national budget.

She said deciding not to maintain it means junking it to the prejudice of the Filipino people who have paid for it.

“I am disgusted, I am appalled by that decision. That plant belongs to the people, who have paid $2.2 billion to $2.3 billion for it. One or two officials cannot decide for the people to junk it. We have to keep on maintaining it for them,” she said.

She said P45 million in maintenance funds is a drop in the bucket compared to the proposed P2.268-trillion budget for next year. 

She added that the nuclear plant would cost at least $6 billion if it were built today.

For her part, Bataan Rep. Herminia Roman said if the Department of Energy is projecting a power shortage in 2015 or 2016, “there is more reason to look into the revival of the nuclear plant.”

She said the government should inform the public of recent studies on the viability and safety of the plant.

Petilla promised to look for funds for the continued maintenance of the facility even if there is no money in the 2014 budget for its upkeep.

“I am not your enemy because I agree with you that we should continue maintaining it,” he said.

He said he was surprised about the administration’s decision to deny maintenance funds for the facility.

“I was not consulted,” he said.

He added that the most recent viability and safety study on the plant was done in 2008.

Lawmakers did not offer to restore maintenance funds in the Energy department’s budget, which they can do since they are the ones who will approve the 2014 budget proposal.