The Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) affirmed the public that the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant facility could still provide power and operate even if it was left unused for decades.
PNRI director Carlo Arcilla stated that it is wrong to assume that the plant is already in shambles as it had been unused, and even stated that it is safe to take selfies near the reactor.
“Mali yung sinasabi ng iba na laspag. ‘Di pa nga ginagamit eh. Imbitahin ko kayo pumunta doon, ‘yan lang yung nuclear plant sa mundo na pwede ka mag-selfie sa loob ng reactor,” said in an interview with ABS-CBN’s TeleRadyo.
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Arcilla stated that the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant is younger by around 60 percent, especially when compared to USA’s over 98 nuclear plants.
He also debunked myths of the Bataan plant’s safety as many rumors on social media fear that operating it again would have disastrous effects similar to the Chernobyl incident in Ukraine that displaced over 200,000 residents and recorded no less than 1,800 cases of thyroid cancer to children up to 14 years of age.
“Pangalawa, kung ang sinasabi unsafe, sabihin natin ang Chernobyl, ang Chernobyl po kasi, iba ang design. ‘Yun ang tinatawag na Soviet design. Lahat po ng nuclear plants na Western design, may takip. Ang tawag d’yan, containment structure. Kung sakaling may aksidente,. di kakalat. ‘Yun pong Chernobyl, walang ganyan,” said Arcilla.
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