Nuclear power a bad master

It’s a relief to know that our lawmakers who had been batting for the reactivation of the Bataan Nuclear Plant have announced that they are “rethinking” the issue. What happened in Japan, with all its efficiency, and advanced technology, has shown very clearly the unpredictability of harnessing nuclear power, no matter how many advantages could possibly come from its use.

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The Bataan facility had cost our government billions of pesos and the structure is now standing there like the white elephant it has been dubbed. Years ago, when the construction was almost finished, a group from our class taking a special course at the University of the Philippines, were taken on a field trip to the facility. We were all excited to go to Bataan and get a look at what was, even then, a very controversial project of the Marcos government.

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With me then was Mitchell Duran, one of our editors at the fledgling DAILY STAR. It was very exciting for us to be clad in oversized plastic “raincoats”, have our heads covered by thick plastic “shower caps,” and being briefed on what to touch and what not to touch. We were also very closely watched so we do not wander into forbidden areas. Of course I can hardly remember now what we were taught at the briefing, but what is still vivid is how strict the precautions being made were, and how awesome the interior of the eggs-like structure was. Now I can imagine what are inside those nuclear plants, or reactors, and what they look like.

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The latest reports say that four of those reactors have already acted up and residents have been asked to move to places at least 20 kilometers away. Now, if 30 kilometers are considered safe enough for those living right there, how could that evil prankster claim that radioactivity was already getting to the Philippines, thousands of miles away? It is interesting, and also comforting to see that scientists, especially those specializing in nuclear energy, are coming out to be interviewed and give their inputs on this phenomenon.

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Hearing reports about how the people in Japan are experiencing shortages of food and water, as well as electricity, fuel and other necessities, one can hardly believe that this is happening in this very wealthy and self-sufficient country that has become a model for economies worldwide. Reports say about half a million are in evacuation centers, food is being rationed, and all over the country, even electricity is being rationed. They do not call them brown-outs, but “rolling blackouts,” which means that all areas can avail of electric power for only three hours at a time, so the supply can be shared by all.

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One of the most heartrending reports says that Japanese rescue groups are now asking for body bags and coffins as there are more dead bodies that their coffin makers are ready to supply. That is without counting the bodies that may never be accounted for since many of them have been carried out to sea when the tsunami receded. Didn’t we experience this also when floods and landslides hit parts of Leyte? Then, officials and rescuers even had to bury unidentified corpses in common graves.

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Up to the time this was written, the Japan tragedy still continued to hog the media, particularly TV, which has provided us with the most fearsome and shocking scenes, some of which are being shown over and over, so that fearful people must already be having nightmares. But what we are thankful for, is that, so far, there has not been any report of any kababayans of ours among the victims. That, in itself, is rather miraculous, considering how Filipinos seem to be in every part of the world now.

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But the earth may tremble and the seas may roar and roll over communities, but back here in our country, our lawmakers continue to focus on their move to impeach the country’s Ombudsman, who is digging her heels in, and promising them a tough fight before they can get her off. The matter looks like a done deal at the House of Representatives, but, as Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez herself has confidently stated, it will be different in the Senate. What will be the fall-out from this case, in case La Merci is right, and the Senate backs her up?*

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