Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija bishops block nuke power
Several bishops from Pangasinan and Nueva Ecija have urged the government to invest in renewable energy infrastructures as they opposed the proposed construction of a nuclear power plant in Alaminos, Pangasinan.
In a pastoral letter signed by Archbishop Socrates Villegas (Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan), Bishop Fidelis Layog (Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan), Bishop Daniel Presto (Diocese of San Fernando, La Union), Fr. Getty Ferrer (Diocese of San Jose, Nueva Ecija), Bishop Napoleon Sipalay (Diocese of Alaminos), Bishop Jacinto Jose (Diocese of Urdaneta) and Bishop Prudencio Andaya (Diocese of Cabanatuan), the religious leaders said that they “feel a solemn duty to offer moral guidance” as they stand against any form of destruction that will harm residents, especially after the onslaught of Typhoon “Uwan.”
The religious leaders said that while the country is rich in renewable energy resources, it is also exposed to natural disasters, such as typhoons and earthquakes. They emphasized that “these realities compel us to exercise extreme caution and prudence when considering energy sources that carry irreversible, long-term risks.”
Fukushima disaster
They said that they drew wisdom on their stance against the construction of nuclear power in Alaminos from the experiences of bishops in Japan, who they said lived through the devastation of atomic weapons and the Fukushima nuclear disaster.
They also noted the late Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’, which emphasized environmental stewardship and urged transition to alternative and renewable energy sources.
“The message is clear: The long-term consequences of nuclear accidents and waste management pose a threat that overrides the perceived short-term benefits of this energy source. We must heed this warning,” the church leaders said.
They urged “government officials, policy makers and all Filipino people to choose the path of prudence and sustainability. We must invest in renewable energy infrastructure that ensures safety, resilience, and true long-term development for our people.”
With this, they highlight the vulnerability to disaster of their geographical location and the problem of irreversible waste. In opposing the creation of the nuclear plant, they called for sustainable and renewable energy, which they said “aligns with the Church’s strong emphasis on environmental stewardship.”
Aside from this, the church leaders said that a nuclear disaster would harm many lives, as well as the livelihoods and economy.
“Pangasinan is not ours. We owe future generations to keep Pangasinan safe from the disaster of a nuclear catastrophe. The risks are greater than the benefits,” they stressed.
