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Junk HB 4631/6300 and SB 2665!
No to the recommissioning and operation of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant!
From:
http://no2bnpprevival.org/
You may sign our online petition at
http://www.petitiononline.com/no2bnppr/petition.html
We are calling on the House of Representatives and the Senate to junk the
proposed “Bataan Nuclear Power Plant Re-commissioning Act of 2008” (HB
4631/6300 and SB 2665) which mandates the “immediate re-commissioning and
commercial operation of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant”
The respective bills in the House of Representatives and in the Senate are
being pushed with the pretext that the operation of the plant will address
our problems on energy and climate change. However, we believe that there
is no basis, and it is extremely dangerous and economically
disadvantageous to operate the BNPP.
The following are points as to why we are opposed to the said bills:
1. The BNPP is not essential in addressing the looming “energy crisis” in
2012. The country has vast indigenous energy resources that we can tap
which are more safe and reliable than nuclear power.
2. The operation of the BNPP does not assure cheap electricity for the
people and energy independence for the country.
3. The BNPP is defective, almost obsolete and is not safe to operate.
There are numerous and significant arguments being raised with regards to
geologic hazards, infrastructure integrity, and nuclear waste storage and
disposal. Its operation will pose great risks to the health and lives of
the people and the environment.
4. The fund for the BNPP, to be paid by additional people's taxes and
foreign loans, would be a source of corruption and kickbacks for the
corrupt officials and cronies of the current administration. Until now, no
one has been held accountable for the BNPP corruption scandals of the
Marcos administration.
5. The BNPP's contribution to the reduction of global carbon emissions
would be very minimal as the Philippines is not a top producer of
greenhouse gases and energy production is second only to transportation in
terms of emissions in our country.
By signing this petition, we urge the House of Representatives and the
Senate to junk HB 4631 and SB 2665. More importantly, we call on our
fellow Filipinos to strongly oppose the BNPP revival and to demand a
genuinely nationalist, pro-people and pro-environment energy policy.
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Network Opposed to BNPP Revival
Press Release
20 June 2009
Alliance calls for a repeat of People's Strike of 1985 against BNPP
The Network Opposed to BNPP Revival (NO to BNPP Revival!) commemorated the
Welgang Bayan (People’s Strike) that was held from June 18 to 20 in 1985
that stopped the opening of the BNPP that year. The strike paralyzed the
province for three days and forced the Marcos dictatorship to abandon the
BNPP project.
"The people's strike is an affirmation that collective action and resolve
can put a stop to seemingly unbeatable enemies. This is one of the many
lessons that Filipinos must not forget," said Dr. Giovanni Tapang,
spokesperson of the alliance.
In a press conference, environmental activists, scientists, professionals
, youth, religious groups vow to continue the spirit of activism and unity
of those who participated in the massive demonstration against the Bataan
Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) 24 years ago.
“The 1985 Welgang Bayan is a monumental event not only in stopping a
dubious and dangerous nuclear project but was also critical to the
toppling of the Marcos dictatorship in February 1986. This kind of action
is what our country needs now, as we face another terror and dictator
which is Charter Change (Cha-cha) and Pres. Gloria Arroyo," said Clemente
Bautista, national coordinator of militant group Kalikasan People's
Network for the Environment.
NO to BNPP Revival! stressed that if the project was rejected then, it
should be even more opposed now.
“The issues concerning the safety, viability and environmental risks
associated with the BNPP are still unresolved. In addition, we have a
regime that is intent to perpetuate itself in power through devious means
like the Constituent Assembly (Con-ass)." Tapang pointed out.
He noted that under the proposed changes in the Constitution, public
utilities, including electric power, will be up for grabs to foreign
investors. With a hundred percent ownership of these utilities,
electricity rates are bound to increase as operational risks and costs are
passed on to the consumers.
The alliance announced that there will be a caravan dubbed as 'Lakbay
Byahe laban sa BNPP at Cha-cha' and an 'Interfaith Prayer Rally against
BNPP' on June 22 at Balanga, Bataan. The event will be participated by a
NO to BNPP Revival! with newly formed alliance of church groups and other
organizations and individuals against the pressing issues.
"Cha-cha and BNPP are moral issues that the church people and community
need to stand against. The Interfaith Network Against BNPP Revival, a
newly formed alliance of different churches and denominations, will
actively participate in campaigns against corruption and tyranny as what
this caravan is about, " said Nardy Sabino of Secretary General of
Promotion of Church People's Response (PCPR), a member of the network.
"We are inviting everyone to join in this campaign and in future actions.
There is much need for the nation to once again show force to refuse
measures that will further weigh down the majority of the Filipinos and
unseat those who are behind them," called Tapang.
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JUNK HB 4361, 6300 AND SB 2665!
No to the recommissioning and operation of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant
Network Opposed to BNPP Revival
(NO TO BNPP REVIVAL!)
WEBSITE:
http://www.no2bnpprevival.org/
T:
+63 2 9248756, +63 2 4343173
T/F: +63 2 9209099
M: +63 928 6974804 (Dr. Tapang)
E-mail: notobnpprevival@gmail.com
PLEASE SIGN the Petition online:
http://www.petitiononline.com/no2bnppr/petition.html
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BNPP proposal would prove graft has
its way of surviving
http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/letterstotheeditor/view/20090328-196683/BNPP-proposal-would-prove-graft-has-its-way-of-surviving
BNPP proposal would prove graft has its way of surviving
by NORMA P. DOLLAGA, general secretary, Kapatirang Simbahan Para sa
Bayan (Kasimbayan), kasimbayan@yahoo.com.ph
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 03:03:00 03/28/2009
Filed Under: Nuclear power, Nuclear Policies, Graft & Corruption,
Environmental Issues, Environmental Politics
The latest move to revive the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) alarms
environmentalists, nationalists, activists, concerned individuals,
faith-based communities and organizations. It may be recalled that the
BNPP was mothballed soon after it was completed in 1986. The plant was
declared unsafe after about 40,000 defects were found in its design and in
the manner it was constructed, and after its present location was proven
to be earthquake-prone; thus, the location itself poses a great risk to
the plant which, if damaged, could pose in turn a greater danger to its
surrounding communities and environment. What is so exasperating about all
this is that the high cost of erecting the BNPP bled the Filipino people
dry of much needed cash.
Let’s refresh our memories: In the 1970s, Herminio Disini, a golf buddy of
Ferdinand Marcos, allegedly used his connections with the dictator to
ensure that the BNPP contract was awarded to the US firm Westinghouse
Electric Corp. and the US consulting firm of Burns and Roe.
The BNPP became a “white elephant.” Begun in 1976, its construction was
completed in 1984 only. The original construction cost was $500 million.
Its actual cost is estimated to be $2.3 billion.
When Marcos was toppled in 1986, President Corazon Aquino decided not to
operate the plant, but she chose to pay the loan with people’s money. Her
successors did the same. The payment of the debt, including interests, was
completed in 2007.
The treacherous effort to revive the BNPP is being spearheaded by Rep.
Mark Cojuangco (son of business magnate Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco), and
Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo (son of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo).
Would anyone find it difficult to doubt the intention of the people behind
the proposal to revive the BNPP? History does not repeat itself; but
corruption has a way of surviving.
Activists, environmentalists, nationalist scientists, faith-based
communities and individuals can only keep up their resistance against the
revival of the BNPP. We say, “Never again!” We cannot leave the solution
of our energy problem in the hands of people known only for their lack of
credibility, on the one hand, and for immoderate greed, on the other. Our
country is rich in natural resources and we have never lacked in
nationalist and people-oriented scientists who can solve the energy
problem.
Let’s not allow a repeat of the plunder perpetrated through the BNPP.
Let’s not give the corrupt and the greedy powers-that-be another chance to
steal more from the people.
NORMA P. DOLLAGA, general secretary, Kapatirang Simbahan Para sa Bayan
(Kasimbayan), kasimbayan@yahoo.com.ph
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100M Validation study will
be a waste of people's money, said militant group opposed to Bataan nuke
plant revival
The Network Opposed to Bataan Nuclear Power Plant Revival (No to BNPP
Revival!) slams Congress after the House committee on Appropriations
approved yesterday the amended bill of Rep. Mark Cojuangco to revive the
mothballed plant, with a P100 million funding to conduct a
validation/feasibility study first before commissioning, as part of the
amendment.
“The decision of the House to conduct a study and allocate 100 million
pesos worth of Filipino taxpayer’s money, just to compromise with the
caprice of Rep. Cojuangco and his sinister and unpopular bill to
immediately operate the BNPP is like duping the public right under their
noses”, said Dr. Giovanni Tapang, spokesperson of No to BNPP Revival! and
chairperson of scientists’ group AGHAM.
“Why fund a study whose findings are evident even before it starts? There
are already three major studies about this matter done in the past,
including the Senate findings in 1986, if only our legislators would
bother to study them," avers Tapang.
"It is illogical to conduct another one precisely because it doesn’t
change the facts already established, unless of course they intend to do
some magic to accommodate their predisposition. Surely, it doesn’t take an
expert to figure out that the BNPP is utterly outdated, a jurassic remnant
which is tremendously dangerous and economically disadvantageous to
operate”, said Dr. Tapang.
“It is a complete waste of funds, especially now that there is a global
economic crisis to deal with," added Frances Quimpo, Executive Director of
thje Center for Environmental Concerns, Inc. (CEC) "The government should
be clear with its priorities. If they are serious in conducting studies to
develop the energy sector, they should put the funds on researches in
unleashing the renewable energy potential of the country, like geothermal,
power in which the country has a high potential ranking 2nd in the world
and 1st on per capita basis. At least such a study would have
groundbreaking results for the future of cheaper and safer energy sources
in the country.”
Dr. Tapang adds "The P100 million can be plowed into renewable energy
research. It can also be used to develop alternative bioethanol plants or
provide support for energy efficiency practices. At least the results
would be something tangible and not a mere rehash to answer a stupid
question."
“The move of the Congressmen to pass the amended bill instead of totally
junking it is reflective of the energy policies of the Arroyo
administration. They only want the money involved and have no true
intentions of developing the energy sector. The people have a clear stand
on the issue; let this serve as a warning to the politicians in Congress
who allow themselves to be under the influence of prominent figures
pushing for this bill that the people will not forget when the ballot
starts to speak in 2010,” ends Tapang. ###
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