ASOG Revisits the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant

As part of Ateneo School of Government’s mission of raising awareness and facilitating discussions on reforms in governance, the School revisited the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP), a mothballed multi-billion-dollar government project located in Morong, Bataan through an educational tour and a forum held last November 11, 2017. The tour exposed the students, staff, and partners of the School to the current state of the power plant. 

The tour was followed with a forum held in NPC-Nuclear Power Village in Bagac, Bataan. ASOG Dean Dr. Ronald U. Mendoza presented the School’s working paper titled “The Bataan Nuclear Power Plant in the Philippines: Lessons from a White Elephant Project”, which analyzed the BNPP project through the lens of public policy. 

Dr. Norman Abjorensen, the School’s visiting lecturer from Australia National University, shared his views on the BNPP and emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in the government.

During the open forum, nuclear power advocate Rep. Mark Cojuangco of Pangasinan expounded on the proven viability of nuclear power plants in other countries and argued for the reopening of the BNPP on the grounds that it is proven safe, built with high quality standards, and it will deliver huge economic benefits to the country.

Representatives from the BNPP, civil society, local government, and the academe participated in the forum.

The paper can be downloaded from here.