Southern Philippine province open to nuke plant proposal

Officials of South Cotabato in southern Phlippines are considering the proposal to establish a nuclear power plant in the province.

But Gov. Arthur Pingoy Jr. said that while they found the proposal promising in effectively addressing the power crisis triggered by the unstable condition of hydropower plants, it still needs further studies and clarifications.

“We need to hear first from both sides – the anti and pro-nuclear power plant groups – and other concerned sectors,” the governor said.

in a report released by the South Cotabato Information Office, Pingoy, who previously represented the province’s second district at the House of Representatives, admitted that he was among the 197 authors of a bill that had sought for the reopening of the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.

“But this issue should be undertaken objectively and based on facts. We can only decide upon hearing from the experts,” he said.

A former congressman from Tarlac province, Mark Cojuangco, made a presentation on the matter beforfe the provincial board. He has been visiting several parts of the country, especially in Mindanao, to promote tapping of nuclear power as a “cheaper alternative” to other sources like coal, hydro, power barge and solar.

Cojuangco n oted that an investment of around US$ 300 million is needed to put up a 50-megawatt modular nuclear power plant in the area.

He said such facility may provide for all the power requirements of the province and augment the needs of nearby areas in Region 12.

But Pingoy said the local government may not be able to cope with the financial requirements and that it could not be put up in Lake Sebu town, it being a protected area.

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