Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, addressing a joint session of Congress in his recent State of the Nation speech, suggested revisiting nuclear energy as a potential solution to the country’s escalating electricity costs. The proposal comes amid a declared national energy emergency and surging inflation, which Marcos attributed in part to the ongoing war in the Middle East.
“Perhaps it is time for us to revisit nuclear energy production,” Marcos stated, emphasizing the government’s commitment to ensuring safety and effectively communicating the benefits of nuclear power to the public. The Philippines’ sole nuclear facility, the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, was completed in the 1980s but never activated due to allegations of corruption and safety concerns.
In recent years, the Philippines has explored nuclear energy options through discussions with several countries, including Japan, France, Russia, and the United States. In May 2024, the government reached an agreement with the US to train Filipino personnel in the construction and operation of nuclear power plants, although Marcos did not disclose specific plans regarding the development of nuclear infrastructure.
Experts have responded positively to the renewed interest in atomic energy. Carlo Arcilla, former director of the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, described the initiative as a “no-brainer,” noting that while the country has hydro and geothermal resources, these are insufficient to meet demand. He highlighted the frequent power outages experienced in the Visayas region, which is home to more than 20 million people, and called for concrete government action to pursue nuclear options.
In the meantime, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin indicated earlier this year that the Philippines would increase coal-fired power output to mitigate electricity price hikes resulting from disruptions in gas supplies caused by the Middle East conflict.
Beyond energy concerns, Marcos announced several measures aimed at easing burdens on the middle class, including raising the income tax exemption threshold from 250,000 pesos ($5,670) to 350,000 pesos, effectively exempting more Filipinos from income tax.
However, the president’s speech was met with protests nearby, where approximately 3,000 demonstrators called for accountability in a corruption scandal involving allegedly fraudulent flood control projects purported to have defrauded taxpayers of billions of pesos. Critics have expressed dissatisfaction with the slow progress in investigations and arrests. While a sitting politician and a former official have faced charges linked to the scandal, none of the primary figures have been apprehended.
Marcos, whose approval rating currently stands at 38%, acknowledged the ongoing investigations, confirming that his cousin, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, would soon face charges prepared by the ombudsman. Nonetheless, activists like 25-year-old Iya Trinidad criticized the pace of justice, insisting that significant culprits remain free despite last year’s calls from Marcos for accountability.
The evolving energy situation and political challenges underscore the complex landscape the Philippines faces as it navigates economic pressures and governance issues in the coming months.