“A survey cannot guarantee safety”: Filipino anti-nuclear watchdog warns against gov’t haste, citing new law and “flawed” poll
By Nuclear-Free Bataan Movement
BATAAN — In a sharp rebuke of the government’s energy direction, the Nuclear-Free Bataan Movement (NFBM) today warned that a “flawed” public survey and a newly passed atomic energy law are creating a dangerous illusion of safety and consent, putting Filipino communities at risk.
The warning comes after a government-commissioned survey claimed over 70% of Filipinos support nuclear power, and in the wake of the recent passage of the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Act (PHILATOM). The group alleges these are being used as a tandem strategy to fast-track the revival of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) and build new nuclear plants.
“A survey cannot contain a radioactive leak. A new law cannot prevent a disaster,” declared Atty. Dante Ilaya, NFBM Chairperson. “We are being rushed into a nuclear future based on a poll that highlighted only the benefits and downplayed the catastrophic risks of operating a nuclear plant. The ghost of the BNPP and the tragedies of Chernobyl and Fukushima are being obliterated by a marketing campaign.”
The NFBM contends that the survey, commissioned by the Department of Energy (DOE), failed to adequately present the dire consequences of nuclear accidents, long-term radioactive waste, and the immense financial costs. The movement asserts that this created a skewed and twisted picture of public opinion, which is now being used to legitimize a pre-determined policy.
“True security doesn’t come from rushing to embrace the most dangerous energy source on earth,” Ilaya continued. “It comes from transparent debate, genuine community consent, and investing in safer, cleaner alternatives like solar and wind that won’t leave a poisonous legacy for our children.”
The group is calling for an immediate halt to what it calls the “nuclear fast-track” and demanding a truly inclusive national discussion on the country’s energy future—one that prioritizes people and planet over political legacy.
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About NFBM
The Nuclear-Free Bataan Movement is a network of citizens and advocates committed to a safe, sustainable, and nuclear-free Philippines.
For reference:
Atty. Dante Ilaya
Chairperson, Nuclear-Free Bataan Movement
+639175232683
For media contact:
Derek Cabe, 09237298769
Coordinator
