Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr stated that nuclear power could help address the country’s rising energy costs, telling lawmakers that
perhaps it is time for us to revisit nuclear energy production.
“Bongbong” made the remarks in his State of the Nation address, where he placed inflation and spiralling power prices among the country’s most pressing concerns.
Marcos said the government would make sure any nuclear programme was safe and properly explained to the public. The comments come as the Philippines continues to face some of the highest electricity prices in the region, with energy pressure worsened by the conflict in the Middle East.
The country’s only nuclear plant, the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, was completed in the 1980s but never opened because of corruption concerns and safety fears. Manila has since explored nuclear cooperation with several countries, including Japan, France, Russia, and the United States.
Marcos did not give details of any new plan, but his remarks suggested a possible shift in energy policy. The Philippines signed an agreement with the United States in May 2024 to train Filipinos in building and operating nuclear power plants.
