By: Loejan S. Anudon
10-10-2010

VILLASIS – Congresswoman Kimi S. Cojuangco sought validation of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant Bill in her message to the Girl Scouts of the Philippines Environmental Rally held at the Villasis Auditorium on October 2, 2010. Her message was read by her representative and the town’s Mayor, Hon. Libradita Abrenica, at the opening of the event whose theme was “Girls Worldwide Say: WE CAN SAVE THE PLANET”. It was a fitting venue to raise awareness to the alarming damage that man is causing to the natural world and at the same time offers a constructive solution that the Girls Scouts of the Philippines can consider and participate in during these, their formative years.

                      GSP rally at Villasis, Pangasinan

The Congresswoman pointed out that global warming, which poses the highest risk factor to the environmental viability of our planet, is caused mainly by the emission of carbon dioxide from factories, vehicles and power plants that burn fossil fuels. The excessive and increasing emissions are pushing the limits of what the earth’s atmosphere could endure. “Majority of the country’s power comes from fossil fuel burning plants. Power plants like these emit large amounts of carbon dioxide as well as other hazardous materials that pose a danger to the health of humans and the environment.” The Congresswoman said.

For that reason, Congresswoman is determined to push for the validation of the Nuclear Power Plant that has long been in existence in Morong, Bataan. The construction of the $2.118 billion plant, a Westinghouse light water reactor, started in 1976 but was stopped in 1979 due to alleged defects and strong opposition from Bataan residents. 

The construction of the BNPP was meant to ease the oil crisis during the time when the Middle East oil embargo had put a heavy strain on the Philippine economy. It was also considered a solution to the country’s demand for energy and a decrease to imported oil dependence.

The push, said by the Representative, is to find out once and for all if the power plant, which is considered the country’s most outstanding white elephant, is viable and capable of generating a clean and cheap energy, or whether it should be stopped forever including payments of its maintenance at $155,000.00 a day in interest from Filipino taxpayers.

“Nuclear energy is one of the cleanest ways of generating energy, second only to hydro power because it is unlike coal and oil fired power plants that burn things in the process to generate energy. This means that no carbon dioxide or hazardous material is released in the atmosphere,” Cojuangco assured also citing France as an example. France takes its 80% energy from nuclear power plants and the remaining 20% from hydro, and as a result, France has the cleanest air in the world.

She expressed that her push for nuclear power also goes beyond a clean alternative
but an immense shift towards self-sufficiency, which is one of the main focus of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP). “To reach economic self-sufficiency we need power. But that cannot come at the cost of our resources and health. That is why I am pushing for the validation of the BNPP. In Congress, I am doing my best to speak up and be heard any chance I can. I am doing this for all of you and I hope that you all will get involved in this for it is your future I am trying to save.” The Congresswoman said in wrapping her message.