Philippines President Marcos Jr. outlines nuclear revival and energy reforms in 2026 SONA

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. used his 2026 State of the Nation Address to showcase a mixed record of anti‑corruption actions and to set a new direction for the country’s energy future. While the speech highlighted raids on corrupt officials and progress on climate‑resilient infrastructure, it also underscored persistent concerns over human‑rights abuses and the treatment of land defenders.

Marcos Jr. turned the spotlight on the Philippines’ power needs, citing the proposed Pax Silica technology hub in New Clark City, which could demand up to three gigawatts of electricity. He noted the existing grid’s challenges – high electricity prices, reliance on imported fuels, fragmented island networks and dwindling domestic gas – and affirmed that renewable sources alone cannot yet meet the reliability required for AI, semiconductor and data‑center industries. The president revived discussion of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant as a low‑carbon, round‑the‑clock option, positioning nuclear energy alongside renewables to secure affordable, stable power for the nation’s emerging high‑tech economy.