A senior lawmaker is urging immediate action to adopt nuclear energy, warning that the Philippines can no longer afford to rely on volatile global fuel markets.
Pangasinan 2nd District Representative Mark Cojuangco has filed House Bill No. 8567, proposing the integration of nuclear power into the country’s national energy and development strategy. The measure seeks to fast-track nuclear energy projects through incentives, financing support, and clear policy direction.
The proposal comes as escalating tensions in the Middle East continue to drive up global fuel prices, worsening electricity rates, transportation costs, and the price of basic goods in the Philippines.
Cojuangco stressed that the country’s heavy dependence on imported fossil fuels leaves it exposed to global shocks, underscoring the need for a more stable and self-reliant energy source.
The bill builds on the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority Act and marks a shift from regulatory preparation to full implementation of nuclear energy. It also points to existing infrastructure, including the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, as a ready asset that could help deliver cheaper and more reliable electricity.
Proponents argue that nuclear power offers continuous, low-emission energy, unlike renewable sources that depend on weather conditions. They say adopting nuclear energy could lower electricity costs, reduce fuel imports, and boost economic growth through new investments and job creation.
Energy advocacy group Alpas Pinas backed the measure, calling nuclear energy a “clean, affordable, and reliable” solution to the country’s growing energy challenges.
The proposed law calls for a whole-of-government approach, including state-backed financing and long-term planning, to position nuclear energy as a cornerstone of the Philippines’ energy security.
Cojuangco warned that delaying action could leave the country vulnerable to future crises, stressing that decisive steps are needed now to secure a stable and independent energy future.
