AGHAM – Advocates of Science and Technology for the People strongly condemns the recent enforcement of the US-PH 123 Nuclear Agreement, despite significant concerns raised by civil society groups that the agreement binds the entire Philippine nuclear industry to the United States’ standards and interests.

“Nuclear energy remains largely unstudied in the Philippines. There is as yet no comprehensive feasibility study to determine its appropriateness given our unique environmental, social, and political landscape,” said Vincent Munar, Nuclear Engineer of AGHAM. “This undue haste in implementing the agreement is concerning especially as the 123 Agreement signed in November was flaunted as the fastest ever negotiated in the history of agreements inked by the US and the Philippines.”[1]

The Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) has already liberalized our energy sector, allowing the entry of private corporations. Now, the introduction of foreign private US nuclear companies, under the guise of providing clean energy, represents another strategic maneuver for the US to exert control over the Philippine economy.

“We are also lacking in research and development in the area of nuclear science, which, under the agreement, would be another avenue where the US can exercise its control over us. Not only our industries, but our nuclear science and technology would be subject to the whims of the US”, added Munar.

AGHAM emphasized the availability of other potential indigenous energy resources which remain largely untapped, or explored under the control of the private sector owing to EPIRA. “Nuclear energy is showcased as a solution to the energy crisis, when in reality, the entry of US-controlled nuclear energy under a privatized energy industry will not solve anything but only worsen the existing energy crisis,” said Munar.

The group asserted that the 123 Agreement is yet another addition to the long list of unequal treaties between the US and the Philippines that disproportionately benefit the interests of the United States at the expense of our economy, environment, and people.

“US imperialist posturing in sovereign countries is consistently anchored in their political and economic interests. The 123 Agreement is a stark example of their phony benevolence, exposing a continued strategy to maintain political and economic dependency in their neo-colonies like the Philippines. This agreement also aligns with Marcos Jr.’s ongoing efforts to surrender Philippine economic, political, and military sovereignty to US interests”, he added.

AGHAM calls for the immediate cessation of the 123 Agreement enforcement and urges the Philippine government to instead review and repeal the privatized framework of the energy industry under EPIRA. “An energy industry anchored on its role as a public utility will prioritize the development of our indigenous energy resources, ensuring energy independence and sovereignty for the Filipino people,” Munar ended.#

Source:

[1] https://globalnation.inquirer.net/222868/nuclear-energy-pact-with-ph-the-fastest-negotiated-by-us


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