Gatchalian urges PH to go nuclear
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, vice-chairman of the Senate committee on energy, Congressman Mark Cojuangco, chairman of the special committee on nuclear energy; Dr. Cecilio Pedro, president of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FFCCCII), talk about nuclear energy amid the power crisis caused by El Nino at the Manila Hotel on Friday, May 3, 2024. PHOTO BY RENE H. DILAN
SEN. Sherwin Gatchalian said on Friday that the Philippine government must be open to the use of alternative sources of energy, including nuclear power.
Gatchalian said the time is right to explore the option, citing the passing of two laws on nuclear energy in the House of Representatives.
Nuclear technology, the senator added, was being vigorously discussed in the Senate.
“I expect the issue of nuclear power in the Senate will be good, the debate will be good, and that’s what we want,” he said during the Kapihan sa Manila Hotel forum.
Gatchalian attributed the renewed interest in the use of nuclear energy in the Philippines to the growing support from the international community.
He cited the ongoing discussions with the United States on the 123 Agreement that will provide a legal framework for civil and nuclear-related investments.
Gatchalian said that since 2017, the government has been funding the study of the Department of Energy on the suitability of nuclear energy to Philippine requirements.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has been pushing the use of nuclear energy in the country.