BALANGA CITY — Two members of the House of Representatives from Bataan registered strong opposition to the passage of the Philippine National Nuclear Energy Safety Act that has just been approved by Congress in its third and final reading.
Rep. Albert “Abet” Garcia of the 2nd District and his sister, Rep. Maria Angela “Gila” Garcia of the 3rd District were among seven House members who voted against House Bill 9293 that garnered 200 affirmative votes.
Bataan is the site of the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, specifically in Napot Point in the mountain town of Morong that falls under the third district congressional district.
Congressman Abet said the bill was based on wrong perception so that he voted “No”. “Magpakatotoo po tayo. Kung may panganib, huwag nating sabihin na ligtas. Kung walang solusyon ang nuclear waste, huwag nating sabihin na meron na. Kung mas mahal, huwag nating sabihin na mura.”
For her part, Congresswoman Gila cited reasons why she voted “No.” “Una, kulang o kapos ang mga probisyon upang tiyakin ang ligtas at malinis na paggamit ng nuclear energy bilang source ng kuryente sa ating bansa.”
“Pangalawa, hindi pinakamura ang kuryente mula sa nuclear energy. Kung totoong likas na mura ang kuryente mula sa nuclear energy, bakit natin kailangan dagdagan ang babayaran na kuryente ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino?” she added.
