Philippines President Marcos Jr. Reaffirms Nuclear Power Push Amid Opposition

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. used his State of the Nation Address to announce that the government will revisit nuclear energy as part of the Philippines’ long‑term energy strategy, saying the technology can strengthen energy security and lower electricity costs. He noted existing applications in medicine, agriculture, water filtration and plastic up‑cycling.

Caritas Philippines, the social‑action arm of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, responded with a strong critique. Bishop Gerardo Alminaza said nuclear power is “not a practical answer to today’s electricity crisis,” warning of high costs, safety risks, radioactive waste, public debt and long‑term accountability. The group also condemned the administration’s support for expanded fossil‑gas infrastructure, calling it “not clean energy” and urging transparent, independent scrutiny of all energy options while supporting solar and battery initiatives.

Both sides highlighted the country’s high residential electricity rates, which remain the highest in Southeast Asia, and called for broader reforms to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act and clearer regulatory frameworks for any future nuclear projects.