Bataan officials want nuclear plant cleared out

By Jose Mari Garcia

Sunday 10th of June 2012

CITY OF BALANGA, Bataan, June 9 (PIA) -- Top officials in the province want to clear the area of the inoperative Bataan Thermal Power Plant (BTPP) in Limay town as it may still contain toxic materials.

Hundreds of millions' worth of metal scraps could be reportedly salvaged in the mothballed BTPP as Governor Enrique Garcia, Jr. said he wanted to clear the area for the possible construction of a new power plant.

“I want the site cleaned so another power plant can be put up in place of BTPP,” said Garcia.

However, he disclosed that the thermal plant owned by the National Power Corporation may still contain hazardous toxic wastes, which could jeopardize the health of nearby residents.

2nd District Rep. Albert Garcia said the provincial government together with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is looking for a competent company who has the capability for the clearing operation.

“The cleanup of the area has to happen before the construction of a new power plant. Right now the provincial government is coordinating with DENR and other environmental experts for the cleanup efforts,” said the younger Garcia.

Relative to this, Limay Mayor Ver Roque expressed approval over the clearing operation in the condition of assuring first the safety of his people.

He said he will seek the help of Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) to conduct environmental investigation in BTPP to guarantee public security before dismantling the thermal plant.

“The safety of my constituents is my foremost concern here before they dismantle the BTPP facilities,” said Roque.

“I want to seek first the assurance of the PENRO that there will be nothing wrong when time comes that they will dismantle the facilities,” he added. (CLJD/JMG-PIA3)