LOCAL communities will have a direct say on whether a nuclear power plant can be built in their area under a measure being deliberated by the House of Representatives, effectively democratizing a key part of the country’s proposed shift to nuclear energy.
The House Special Committee on Nuclear Energy, chaired by Pangasinan 2nd District Rep. Mark Cojuangco, resumed deliberations Tuesday on House Bill (HB) No. 8567, or the proposed “Nuclear Energy Sector Integration Act,” focusing on the mechanism for securing the support of communities that would host nuclear power facilities.
Section 36 of HB 8567, authored by Cojuangco, requires “demonstrable support from the local community” before site preparation for a nuclear power plant may begin.
The bill further provides that community support would be determined through a “ballot” administered by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), giving residents a formal role in deciding whether a nuclear facility should be allowed in their locality.
Cojuangco said the provision recognizes that the development of nuclear energy cannot rest solely on decisions made by the national government, regulators or energy companies, but must also take into account the consent and confidence of communities that would directly host nuclear facilities.
He reiterated that HB 8567 seeks to establish the framework for integrating nuclear power into the Philippines’ energy mix.
“[The bill] provides incentives to ensure effective integration while balancing three essential pillars: technical safety, national energy security, and community trust,” explained the lawmaker.
During the hearing, Atty. Renel B. Tatlonghari of the COMELEC Legal Opinion and Research Division raised the need to further clarify the term “ballot” as used in Section 36 to ensure that the proposed community approval mechanism can be properly implemented.
Lawmakers and resource persons also discussed the legal meaning of “residence” under the provision and the need to distinguish it from “domicile.” The distinction is considered important in determining who would be qualified to participate in the vote and, consequently, the electorate that would decide whether a proposed nuclear facility has sufficient local support.
The committee took note of COMELEC’s observations and agreed to seek the poll body’s formal recommendation on the appropriate terminology and mechanisms needed to operationalize the intent of the provision.
The House discussions form part of renewed efforts to examine nuclear energy as a potential component of the country’s energy mix following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call in his latest State of the Nation Address to revisit nuclear power as the Philippines pursues greater energy security.
metrosundaily
