Philippine scientists using a portable radiation detection machine called a "Surveillance And Measurement System" (SAM 935) monitor radiation levels at the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) headquarters in Manila, as a precautionary measure amidst the danger of a nuclear meltdown in Japan after it was hit by a powerful quake on March 11. -- PHOTO: AFP
MANILA - THE leading proponent of introducing nuclear energy to the Philippines reversed his stand on Monday in the wake of a potential nuclear disaster in quake-hit Japan.
Mark Cojuangco, a cousin of President Benigno Aquino, said there was a need to rethink assumptions that nuclear power was safe following two explosions in three days at Japan's Fukushima plant.
'In the light of Fukushima, I would like to say that now is the opportune time, the right time, for the whole world's nuclear power industry to be in a period of introspection,' Mr Cojuangco said in a statement.
'Meaning, they should examine events like Fukushima and see if all the assumptions of safety of nuclear power are still valid, and if adjustments are to be made, what are they.'
Last year, while he was a member of parliament, Mr Cojuangco lobbied heavily for the reactivation of a mothballed nuclear energy plant as a means to address the Philippines' perennial power outages.
He had authored a bill proposing the funding of a feasibility study to revive the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) which remains pending in the House of Representatives. -- AFP
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