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Revival of Bataan Nuclear Power Plant a Source of Corruption?

Revival of Bataan nuclear power plant a source of corruption
PINOY PRESS February 06, 2009   Manila, PhilippinesBY RONALYN V. OLEA
Activists are gearing up for protests against the planned revival of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP).In a telephone interview, Roman Polintan, chairperson of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) in Central Luzon, said they would launch a massive campaign against the proposed reopening of the BNPP………………………………..The BNPP was a project of former President Ferdinand Marcos. The BNPP construction began in 1976 and was completed in 1984 at a cost of $2.3 billion. The nuclear plant is located at the foot of Mt. Natib in Morong, Bataan. Marcos was toppled in 1986. The succeeding administration of Corazon Aquino decided not to operate the plant after citing 4,000 defects in its design and construction…………………………………..Polintan said that the BNPP is unacceptable to the people of Central Luzon. “It is not the ordinary people who will benefit from it but the foreign business corporations and their local partners.”
The activist leader joined the mammoth protests against the BNPP in the ’80s……………………………….

Balanga, Bataan Bishop Socrates Villegas and Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said the plan of some lawmakers to re-open the BNPP would be met with opposition due to the risk the power plant poses to human life and safety.

Villegas in a text message said the nuke plant, based in Morong town, was already declared unsafe 30 years ago and it cannot be made safe by a mere congressional act.

Polintan welcomed the statements of Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz, Balanga Bishop Socrates Villegas and Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo. Polintan said they plan to get the support of other Church leaders in the region……………………………….Bautista said, “The most probable reason why the Arroyo government, particularly the Department of Energy, is reviving the nuclear option is that it is a multibillion dollar project where fat and grease money will come in from foreign energy corporations and international financial institutions.”
Bautista recalled that Marcos and his cronies are estimated to have gotten $80 million in kickbacks from the BNPP. He said that with the current administration, perceived to be the most corrupt, the BNPP would just be another source of corruption.

Revival of Bataan Nuclear Power Plant a Source of Corruption? – PinoyPress — Philippines news, opinion, blogs.

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February 6, 2009 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | OCEANIA