Philippines' Marcos says 'perhaps time to revisit nuclear energy'
Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Philippine President Marcos Jr. suggested a potential review of the country's stance on nuclear energy.
- The remarks come amid rising electricity prices and inflation, exacerbated by the conflict in the Middle East.
- The Philippines has previously explored nuclear power, with a plant built in the 1980s but never commissioned.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. indicated that the Philippines might reconsider its position on nuclear energy. This potential shift in policy emerges as the nation confronts escalating electricity costs and persistent inflation, pressures intensified by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The Philippines has a history with nuclear power. A plant was constructed in Bataan province during the 1980s under the Marcos Sr. administration but was never activated due to safety concerns and political changes. The current administration's exploration of nuclear energy could signal a move towards diversifying the country's power sources.
Marcos Jr.'s comments suggest a government grappling with energy security and affordability. The rising prices, linked to global geopolitical events, are placing a strain on households and the economy. Revisiting nuclear energy could be seen as a strategic option to ensure a stable and potentially more cost-effective power supply in the long term.
Originally published by CNA. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.