Network Against Bataan Nuke Plant Revival Launched

The Network Opposed to Bataan Nuclear Power Plant Revival (NO to BNPP Revival!) has been formally launched today; the broadest alliance of activists, scientists, environmentalists, legislators, different sectoral formations of peasants, fisherfolk, health, church, and other prominent personalities, commencing a renewed era of opposition to the decades-old project.

“The network’s launch communicates the people’s response and their geared-up resolve to fight and take action amidst the proponents’ move to railroad and even fast-track the re-opening of the plant”, said Dr. Giovanni Tapang, spokesperson of NO to BNPP!.

The Lower House committee on appropriations yesterday held another round of hearing on the proposed budget for the immediate rehabilitation and operation of the BNPP. This time however, resource speakers or oppositors are no longer invited to participate, having confined discussions only between committee members and proponent Congressman Mark Cojuangco.

Meanwhile, nationalist and former Vice President Teofisto Guingona, in a solidarity message to the alliance expressed his stand against the BNPP revival and “humbly adds [his] voice to the millions of Filipinos who oppose it.”

“The mothballed nuclear plant of 1976 was not just a glorified stove but a structure that embedded vital defects- one that could have spawned death and destruction in its wake. It had no adequate nuclear waste disposal, no sufficient contingencies against possible volcanic eruptions in the area. It was overly expensive, mired in massive corruption,” Guingona said.

The former vice president also called on all concerned Filipinos to stand together and firmly assert the need not to resurrect “this dangerous and expensive demon of the past”.

The movement had in fact been a gathering of old and new faces. Gert Libang, spokesperson of Gabriela, recalls the militant women’s group’s active participation in the “No to BNPP” campaign in1985, Gabriela then only being a year old.

“During those times, a welgang bayan was launched. In central Luzon, tens of thousands of men and women, children and their folks, stopped all activities and went out of their houses to join the protests. Today, with the leadership of this new alliance, we expect the people to be active once more, as the grounds for opposition are as strong as before,” said Libang.

The historic welga ng bayan (people’s strike) against the BNPP during the 80’s was lead by patriots such as the late Senator Lorenzo “Ka Tanny” M. Tañada, whose legacy includes that of being a leading and uniting figure in the 14-year struggle to end the fascist dictatorship of Marcos. Tañada have exposed and stood against what he called “the monumental folly” that the BNPP is.

Tapang pronounced that “today’s movement to oppose BNPP will be of the same passion and zeal as before. A signature campaign to junk both House Bill No. 4631 and Senate Bill No. 2665, which aim the immediate re-commissioning and commercial operation of BNPP, is already gathering support, and will be submitted to the Congress and Senate very soon.”

“We are also coordinating with people from different sectors in Bataan and Central Luzon in preparing for a big mobilization just in time before Congress’ committee on appropriations resumes deliberations regarding the approval of the budget for the rehabilitation of BNPP two weeks from now”, added Tapang.

The network currently has more than 40 organizations in its roster including prominent individuals such as former vice-president Teofisto Guingona, Sen. Jamby Madrigal, Rep. Satur Ocampo of Bayan Muna, Rep. Liza Maza of Gabriela, Robbie Tañada of Tañada Foundation, renowned geologist Dr. Kelvin Rodolfo, environmentalist Dr. Helen Mendoza, and Dr. Carol Araullo of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan. The network launch was highlighted by tearing a symbol of the BNPP revival.

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