PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, May 23, 2022, urged the next administration to explore the possibility of using nuclear power in the country in response to the prevailing oil crisis brought about by the conflict in Ukraine due to the Russian invasion.“Alam mo oil, it is really, it moves the economy and the entire trade and commerce of the entire world. Alam mo maski saan ka maghanap, it’s oil actually,” he said during his Talk to the People Address.“I hope that the next administration would at least explore now the possibility of itong nuclear… You know oil is not infinite, may katapusan ‘yan. Someday, it will dry up… It would be good for any government to prepare the possibility of making the transition earlier from oil ‘yung fossil fuel to nuclear kasi ang nuclear is forever,” he added.He recognized, however, the risk of using nuclear power plants, such as the harmful radiation leak.Former dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. set up a committee for the construction of a nuclear power plant in Luzon in response to the oil crisis in 1973.The construction of Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) in Napot Point in Morong, Bataan started in 1976 but it was stopped in 1979 due to various defects, particularly its geographical location.It was completed but was never used after Marcos Sr. was overthrown from the presidency in 1986.Succeeding President Corazon Aquino did not allow the launching and usage of the power plant due to the 1986 Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant disaster in Ukraine.The BNPP has 620-megawatt nuclear power capacity.In a press conference, presumptive president Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said the revival of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant was discussed during his meeting with South Korean Ambassador Kim Ichul on Monday, May 23.”Napag-usapan namin ng South Korean ambassador ‘yung offer nila at ‘yung nakapunta na dito na expert ng nuclear power para tingnan ang Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, para makita kung ano pa ang puwede pang gawin, kung puwede pang ituloy o kailangan na ba magtayo ng bago,” he said.”Binuhay namin muli ang diskusyon na ‘yun. Although they have come before, we will now study their recommendation, their findings and we will see if we can still apply,” he added.Marcos said the country has to prepare with high power supply “if we are going to industrialize post-pandemic.””Kahit na hindi aabutan ng administrasyon ko, we still have to start somewhere,” he said.In March 2022, Duterte signed Executive Order (EO) 164 for the conduct of assessment, review and development of nuclear energy as another alternative source of power for economic, political, social and environmental boost.The EO adopts a national position for a nuclear energy program and for other purposes in accordance with the Philippine Development Plan 2017 to 2022, which recognizes a balance among energy tariffs, service reliability and environmental soundness of different technologies in ensuring energy supply, flexibility and security, and improving electric grid performance and asset utilization. (SunStar Philippines)