An official of the Department of Energy bared that it entails a firm decision by the Philippine Government to pursue the use of nuclear energy.
Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella of the Department of Energy said the use of nuclear energy outlasts one presidency.
He stressed that the construction of a nuclear plant is a fifty-year commitment which can be switched on and switch-off later.
Fuentebella recalled that when the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant was switched on in 1986 and was immediate shut-off when Filipinos decided not to like it.
“The only thing that the Philippines did from 1986 to 2008 was to pay its debt for the unused nuclear power plant,” he said.
Fuentebella said it is the offshoot of the on and off decision on the pursuit of the nuclear energy.
He said that momentarily, the Duterte Administration signed into law carrying a national position to pursue nuclear as a program.
Fuentebella said being the case, Congress has to come up with a regulatory framework and the legal framework to do the nuclear program.
He stressed that it is the second step on the 19 steps that the government has to perform being a requirement of the International Atomic Energy.
“There are many steps that we have to pursue, but it needs a definite yes and a definite no, It cannot be on the middle,” Fuentebella stressed. (PIA XI-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)
