KALIBO, Aklan – Building a nuclear power plant in Semirara Island in Caluya, Antique is a “very dangerous” prospect, according to local environmental activists.
“Semirara is near the active West Panay Fault that may trigger nuclear fallout during earthquakes,” said Siegfred Deduro, vice president of the Bayan Visayas.
Earlier, Philippine Nuclear Research Institute director Carlo Arcilla claimed that Semirara Island is a potential site for a nuclear power plant.
“It will be “fantastic” if the Consunjis, who run the coal plant, will operate the nuclear facility should it happen,” Arcilla said.
But local environmentalists have decried this proposal.
Bong Sanchez of the Save the Antique Movement based in San Jose, Antique showed his opposition on the said proposal as he considered it “dirty” to the environment.
“I have written a petition to Cong. Loren Legarda and to the provincial officials of Antique to issue a resolution to oppose the proposed nuclear plant. This is in lieu of the economic benefit of the province may gain which is being considered by the Office of the Vice Governor,” Sanchez said.
Meanwhile, Juan Carlo Alonsagay, who chairs the Alpha Team Organization-ATO Inc., also slammed the proposal for nuclear power plant in the said island.
“Purely BS! If you can’t even ensure the safety of your workers and the environmental health of the island, please don’t be foolish enough to think of putting it there,” Alonsagay said in a social media post.
Alonsagay was referring to the DMCI firm that currently operates the coal-fired power plant in Semirara Island./PN
