Tinio cautions against hasty shift to nuclear power, flags foreign interests in PH energy sector

ACT Teachers Representative and Deputy Minority Leader Antonio Tinio called on the Department of Energy (DOE) to proceed with extreme caution on nuclear energy plans, even as he raised alarm over the extent of United States involvement in the country’s energy sector, during interpellation on the agency’s proposed 2027 budget at the House Committee on Appropriations on September 2.

Tinio questioned DOE Secretary Garin on the status of the country’s nuclear energy program, after revelations posted on the US Embassy website about US-funded nuclear-related projects, including a small modular reactor (SMR) feasibility study and a nuclear reactor control room simulator study tour for Philippine legislators.

“The Filipino people deserve to hear directly from their own government, not learn about major energy policy directions through the announcements of a foreign embassy. These are matters of national sovereignty and public interest,” Tinio said.

Tinio noted that the DOE’s original nuclear roadmap was based on SMRs, which would have entailed shorter construction periods, but the agency now admits that options on SMRs appear limited and it may shift to conventional nuclear plants — a costly pivot with a price tag of around $10 billion for conventional technology versus $4 billion for SMRs.

“Ang alinlangan natin ay simple: mula sa isang roadmap na nakabatay sa SMR, bigla na lamang tatalon tayo sa conventional nuclear na halos doblado ang gastos. Sa halip na magmadali, kailangang pag-aralan nang mabuti ang bawat opsyon — ang kaligtasan ng mamamayan, ang tunay na halaga sa consumers, ang toxic waste na maiiwang dekada-dekada, at ang kapakanan ng mga komunidad na papatayuan nito,” Tinio stressed.

The solon also pressed the DOE on which countries are being considered as nuclear technology providers, with the Secretary confirming that China, Korea, Japan, Canada, the US, and France are among those being explored, and that China has been invited to the country’s next energy forum.

“We must not allow geopolitical considerations to drive decisions on something as consequential as nuclear energy. Any technology provider must be measured against rigorous safety standards, transparency, and the national interest — nothing less,” Tinio said.

Tinio likewise flagged the DOE’s admissions regarding the Luzon Economic Corridor, where US-funded projects include the $24-million Energy Secure Philippines program covering power systems upgrades and microgrids. The solon also scored the foreign ownership of the country’s fuel storage infrastructure, pointing out that the largest facility at Subic — holding some 20% of the nation’s fuel storage — is owned by US investment firm I Squared Capital, and that the US has announced plans for a one-million-barrel fuel storage facility in the Davao Gulf, of which the DOE claimed no knowledge.

“It is troubling that the DOE itself first contested these announcements, then confirmed key details under questioning, and admitted it was not even informed of plans for a major fuel depot in Davao Gulf. The lesson of the war in Iran is clear: the Philippines needs its own strategic petroleum reserve and energy infrastructure under Filipino ownership and control — not one dependent on foreign facilities that can serve foreign military purposes,” Tinio said.

Tinio welcomed the DOE’s push for PNOC’s own fuel storage project but demanded that all agreements, studies, and arrangements with foreign governments and companies on nuclear energy and fuel storage be submitted in writing to the committee.

“Every transaction, every study, every agreement touching on our energy security must be laid before Congress and the people. Hindi maaaring sa embahada ng ibang bansa nadidinig ng mamamayan ang plano para sa kuryente ng Pilipinas,” Tinio ended.###