Scientists: Philippines safe from Japan’s nuclear meltdown

2 power reactors in the plant are assumed to have leak.

Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo and Philippine Nuclear Research Institute Director Alumanda de la Rosa said that a meltdown in Fukushima Daiichi power plant in Japan will not affect the Philippines as Japan has facilities to stop the spread of radioactive waste.

Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy does not want the government to activate the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) following the reported meltdown of a nuclear plant in Japan caused by the raised 9.1 quake-tsunami. Instead transform the BNPP facility into a natural gas plant for a cheaper and safer option, she said. Any bill which seeks to revive the BNPP must be stopped, she added.

Bishop Deogracias Iniquez urged advocates yesterday to abandon plans to revive the BNPP. The nuclear explosion in Japan confirms our fears, said Iniguez.

Senator Juan Ponce Enrile wants immediate action. He called on President Aquino to form a special team to assess the impact of the nuclear leak to the country.

He wants our scientists and experts to release a list of nuclear elements that have affected the country on all fronts, especially the economy.

He commented that the catastrophe that Japan has suffered will have negative effects not only in the Philippine economy but worldwide.

Sen Enrile urged the government to take precautionary measures on the possible effect of nuclear radiation from Japan on public health.

He said the grant of development assistance committed by Japan will go slow once they start rebuilding their country.

PhilSTAR.com