PHL to seek IAEA help in case of BNPP rehab

The Philippines may seek assistance from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in case it decides to rehabilitate the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP), the Philippines’ first and only nuclear power facility. A statement on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) website said the Philippines is expected to benefit from the IAEA’s safety and security pillar through the “review and assessment of the possible rehabilitation of the plant." “The Agency can also assist the Philippines if and when the government decides to include nuclear power generation in its present energy mix," the statement read. The DFA issued the statement following the visit of IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano to the Philippines where he met with senior officials of government agencies involved in the implementation of technical cooperation projects in various nuclear applications. Amano, who was in the country from December 8 to 11, paid a courtesy call on Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo to discuss the Philippines' role in the IAEA, particularly in the promotion and utilization of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. During his visit, Amano conducted an ocular visit to the BNPP, the DFA said. Based on government estimates, the Philippines would need about $1 billion for the rehabilitation of BNPP while a 620-megawatt (MW) newly built nuclear plant will cost around $1.24 billion or $2 million per MW. In 1976, the administration of then President Ferdinand Marcos started building the BNPP. But in 1979, following the Three Mile Island nuclear accident in the US, safety issues were raised and an inspection revealed that the BNPP had around 4,000 defects. It was nearly complete in 1986 when Marcos was overthrown in a people power revolt. The government had spent $2.3 billion for the nuclear facility it never used. IAEA, an attached agency of the United Nations, is currently implementing technical cooperation projects in various nuclear applications in the country. The agency promotes peaceful use of nuclear energy and to inhibit the use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons. Last May, the Philippines played a critical role in pushing for the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, nonproliferation as well as disarmament during its presidency of the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty Review Conference at the UN headquarters in New York. Amano, during his visit, also met with Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo and Energy secretary Rene Almendras, with whom he discussed the agency’s programs in providing training to Philippine scientists as well as providing additional equipment and implementation of projects in the nuclear field. Meanwhile, Health Undersecretary Mario Villaverde told the IAEA chief about the government’s plan to expand its current cooperation with the IAEA in the area of cancer radiotherapy through regular training on cancer research and treatment for Filipino health professionals. Amano visited the Jose Fabella Reyes Medical Center to inspect its radiotherapy facilities. The Philippines has been identified by the IAEA as an excellent pilot member-state for the project in consideration of the peaceful use of nuclear energy projects. - KBK, GMANews.TV