Marcos pushes activation of BNPP, junks emergency powers for Aquino Written by Arlie O. Calalo Friday, 22 August 2014 Saying there is no need to repeat the apparently flawed emergency powers granted on the Ramos administration which purchased costly power barges in the ’90s, Sen. Bongbong Marcos said it is about time to take a closer look at the brainchild of his father, former President Ferdinand Marcos, the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP). “I believe it’s the ideal time to revisit these very vital facilities now that we are on the verge of power crisis with no less than the energy department seeking for the declaration of state of emergency to give the President extra powers to avert it,” Marcos told members of the Camanava Press. Marcos, who chairs the Senate committee on public works, was in Valenzuela City over the weekend where he met with city government officials led by Mayor Rex Gatchalian and brother ex-mayor and now District 1 Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian to know the needs of their constituents, particularly on infrastructure plans. Earlier in the day, the Ilocano lawmaker met with Valenzuela barangay officials and residents as well as District 2 Rep. Magtanggol “Magi” Gunigundo I and got the chance to get their pulse as to the issues hounding the country though he managed to avoid queries as to his political plans come 2016. “Matagal pa ‘yan, di ko pa iniisip ‘yan,” said Marcos as he cited the fate of President Aquino who was a senator in 2009 but became the highest government official of the land a year later. Rather than entertaining of giving the Chief Executive with emergency powers in a bid to address the impending energy crisis in the country, Marcos said the BNPP is the answer to avert power woes expected to take place next year and in the coming years. He reiterated that there was no need to repeat the flawed declaration of the state of emergency during Ramos’ time when the government made use of power barges that turned to be costly in all forms. Originally built in the 80s, the plant was supposed to be the solution to the increasing energy demands and decreasing dependence on imported oil but it’s politicized and was eventually abandoned by the late president’s (Marcos) predecessor irrespective of its real and long-term benefits. Nevertheless, with no less than Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla seeking emergency powers for the President due to the projected power deficiency next year and the coming years, the senator believed it was proper to consider activating the nuclear power plant since the government continues to pay for it with the Westinghouse anyway. “Gamitin na lang tutal patuloy pa naman nagbabayad (sa Westinghouse),” insisted the younger Marcos who was not keen on granting the President with extra powers to address energy crisis. “Di na pwedeng ulitin ang pagdideklara,” says the senator in reference to the Ramos’ time when the power barges conceived to be the solution but turned out to be monstrous burden at the expense of the government coffers and, of course, taxpayers’ hard-earned money. The senator explained that nuclear power plant can still be effective to address power woes as he cited South Korea which has put up more plants that it has found to be safe and efficient, thereby relieving them from certain electricity deprivation. Revealing that the national government has no national infrastructure development plan in its 2015 budget which he said was surprising, the senator said there were more vital things that must be prioritized instead of engaging in too much politics as “political infighting equals poverty.” tribune.net.ph/nation/marcos-pushes-activation-of-bnpp-junks-emergency-powers-for-aquino
Posted on: Sat, 23 Aug 2014 11:40:25 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015