Revival of Bataan Nuclear Power Plant a Source of Corruption?

Source of corruption?

Bautista said, “The most probable reason why the Arroyo government, particularly the Department of Energy, is reviving the nuclear option is that it is a multibillion dollar project where fat and grease money will come in from foreign energy corporations and international financial institutions.”
Bautista recalled that Marcos and his cronies are estimated to have gotten $80 million in kickbacks from the BNPP. He said that with the current administration, perceived to be the most corrupt, the BNPP would just be another source of corruption.

The Aquino government sued Westinghouse for overpricing and bribery but ultimately lost the case in a United States court.
San Miguel Corp., which is being managed by Cojuangco’s father, has already expressed interest in taking over the BNPP. The food and beverage conglomerate is diversifying into power generation.

Not the solution to the energy crisis

Dr. Giovanni Tapang, chairperson of progressive scientists group AGHAM said the BNPP is not the apt solution to the country’s energy problems.

Tapang said there is no question regarding the need to be energy independent. He added the government must harness the indigenous and sustainable energy resources such as hydro, geothermal, solar, wind, natural gas and oil to provide for the country’s needs.

He said however that these energy resources have been all put to sale by the government to private independent power producers (IPPs). “Instead of looking at nuclear power to provide cheap energy, President Arroyo only has to realize that most of the energy resources she has auctioned off could have provided the Philippines cheap and renewable energy,” said Tapang.

The scientist said, “…[A]s long as the Arroyo government continues to auction and privatize the country’s energy facilities and resources to private and foreign companies, like what they are doing with BNPP and other power plants, the problem on energy will remain.” (Bulatlat.com)