Republic of the Philippines op 9 1202
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Ave ,
‘Quezon City, Metro Manila VI fh

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NINETEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Seggioj ne
House Bill No. 9921 fs

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ARNOLFO “ARNIE” A. TEVES, JR.

AN ACT
MANDATING THE PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT TO UTILIZE THE BATAAN
NUCLEAR POWER PLANT OR ACQUIRE ANOTHER NUCLEAR POWER
FACILITY

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP), a nationally owned public asset
which started construction in 1975 with a cost of US $2.118 Billion is a sitting duck and
its potential is yet to be seen. Due to some technical and political issues, such
magnanimous project did not operate and the supposed utilization did not come into
fruition.

On various occasions, experts in the field both foreign and local have visited
and studied the operation of BNPP with no less than our very own Philippine Nuclear
Research Institute, urging the government to revive the nuclear power plant.

The Bataan Nuclear Power Plant is currently active. This nuclear power plant
has a huge potential for producing inexpensive electrical power for the country. With
the continuous spiraling of electricity prices, alternative sources of energy must be
utilized to lower the cost of electricity. Available sources of energy are: fossil fuel
(which is fast depleting) and nuclear energy. Countless studies have shown that
nuclear energy is cheaper in cost. Lower power cost contribute to positive multiplier
effects on production and progress. In the event this nuclear power plant is no longer
feasible for operation, I urge the government to construct another nuclear plant or a
nuclear barge (which is safer against earthquakes) so that Filipinos can avail lower
electricity cost.

There are 441 nuclear power plants operating in 30 countries that generate
power and in turn, lower the risk of power shortages in their domains. The Bataan
Nuclear Power Plant will help our country cut electricity cost by almost half, in
comparison to the rates of coal-fired power plants.


Nuclear Power Plants can run without any interruptions, making it a more

reliable source of energy. This shows that nuclear power is a safe means of generating
electricity and can help meet our country's demands.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

ARNOLFO “ARNIE” A. TEVES, JR.
Representative
3" District of Negros Oriental


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Segg)
House Bill No. 3821

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ARNOLFO “ARNIE” A. TEVES, JR.

AN ACT
MANDATING THE PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT TO UTILIZE THE BATAAN
NUCLEAR POWER PLANT OR ACQUIRE ANOTHER NUCLEAR POWER
FACILITY

SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as "THE PHILIPPINE NUCLEAR ACT
OF 2022"

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby the declared policy of the state to
develop nuclear energy as a distinct and substantial part of the country's energy mix.
Further, nuclear power is a way to address the spiraling cost of electricity. The halting
of traditional fossil fuel in generating energy has been proven to produce toxic
substances and radioactive elements. The utilization of nuclear energy will be a
monumental means of alleviating the problem on global warming and climate
change.

SECTION 3. Mandate to Rehabilitate. - The National Power Corporation and the
Philippine Nuclear Research Institute are hereby mandated and authorized to
rehabilitate and commission and certify the commercial operation of Bataan Nuclear
Power Plant. Both agencies shall be directly under the control and supervision of the
Department of Energy.

The DOE, DENR, DOST, NPC and PNRI shall conduct an initial validation on the
feasibility of BNPP operations. The initial validation will review the original plans
and specifications, build documents, and reinspect the facility in comparison with
other existing power plants abroad.

The DENR, NPC, DOST and PNRI shall make public their report on the assessment
and evaluation of the BNPP.

If the DOE, NPC, DOST, NPC and PNRI will, after validation of BNPP, approve the
operation, rehabilitation, reconstruction and repair, must immediately be conducted,
in line with internationally accepted nuclear power industry standards.


SECTION 5. Environmental Impact Assessment. - The DENR shall make public any
recommendation affecting the quality of human environment. For this purpose, a final
tary of DENR must be issued.

environmental impact statement prepared by the

SECTION 4. Waste Management. — Any or all low level waste material which will
emanate from the repair, reconstruction and refurbishment of the BNPP shall be
discarded in accordance with the standards of PNRI.

SECTION 5. Hiring of Technical Personnel. ~ After findings of possible operations
by the DOE, DOST, DENR, NAPOCOR and PNRI, the agencies may engage the
services of skilled manpower for the management and operations of all technical
aspects of the plant.

SECTION 6. Implementation Plan. - The DOE, DOST, DENR, NAPOCOR and PNRI
must, in the event that the operation of BNPP will be approved, come up with an
Implementation Plan taking into consideration emergency and preparedness plan.

SECTION 7. Authority of the President. - Only the President of the Republic of the
Philippines, after favorable recommendation by the DOE, DENR, DOST, NAPOCOR
and PNRI, has the authority to determine and decide the final commercial use of the
plant.

SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations, - The DOE, DENR, DOST,
NAPOCOR and PNRI shall after sixty (60) days following the enactment of this Act,
issue implementing rules and regulations relative to this.

SECTION 9. Funding. - An initial Php100,000,000.00 shall be allocated for the initial
technical study and evaluation of the BNPP, to be sourced from the General
Appropriations Act of 2023.

SECTION 10. Congressional Oversight Committee. — There is hereby created a
Congressional Oversight Committee composed of the Chairman of the Congressional
Committee on Energy Affairs and Senate Committee on Energy Affairs with four
members each who shall be tasked to make public any findings or recommendations
made by the DOE, DENR, DOST, NAPOCOR and PNRI. Further, the Congressional
Oversight Committee shall perform its task and function as provided for by its own
rules

SECTION 11. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutionally inoperative, the other provisions not so declared shall remain in
force and in effect.

SECTION 12. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or
parts thereof inconsistent with the Act or the rules and regulations promulgated
pursuant thereto are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.


SECTION 13. Effectivity Clause. ~ This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of
general circulation whichever comes first.

Approved,