33 bishops oppose nuclear power plant construction
NOT IN PANGASINAN OR ANYWHERE ELSE
THIRTY-three bishops across the Philippines, led by Lingayen–Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, have issued a strongly worded pastoral letter rejecting the proposed construction of a nuclear power plant in Labrador, Pangasinan—or anywhere else in the country.
The letter, released on December 4 and addressed to national leaders, policymakers, and the Filipino people, stressed the Church’s duty to guide the faithful on issues that threaten life, safety, and the environment.
Joining Archbishop Villegas as initial signatories to the pastoral letter are Bishop Napoleon Sipalay of Alaminos, Auxiliary Bishop Fideles Layog of Lingayen–Dagupan, Bishop Jacinto José of Urdaneta, Bishop Daniel Presto of San Fernando, La Union, Bishop Prudencio Andaya of Cabanatuan, and Bishop Getty Ferrer of San Jose, Nueva Ecija.
The other signatories include: Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian, Diocese of Bangued; Bishop Rafael Cruz, Diocese of Baguio; Bishop Ricardo Baccay, Diocese of Tuguegarao; Bishop Renata Mayugba, Diocese of Laoag; Archbishop David William Antonio, Archdiocese of Nuevo Segovia; Most Rev. David Ulep, Prelature of Batanes; Most. Rev. Mario Peralta, Archbishop Emeritus, Archdiocese of Nuevo Segovia; Most Rev. Dave Dean Capucao, Prelature of Infanta; Bishop Eugenius Canete, MJ, Diocese of Gumaca; Archbishop Romulo Valle, Archbishop of Davao; Bishop Herman Abcede, RCJ, Diocese of Daet;
Bishop Joel Baylon, Diocese of Legazpi; Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara, Diocese of Pasig; Rev. Socrates Mesiona. Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Princesa; Bishop Abel Apigo, Diocese of Mari; Bishop Crispin Vasquez, Diocese of Borongan; Bishop Rufino Sescon Jr., Diocese of Balanga; Bishop Isabel Abarquez, Diocese of Calbayog; Bishop Patrick Daniel Parcon, Diocese of Talibon; Bishop Ronald Anthony Timoner, Diocese of Pagadian; Bishop Bartolome Santos Jr., Diocese of Iba; Bishop Marcelino Antonio Maralot, Diocese of San Pablo; Archbishop John Du, Archdiocese of Pablo; Archbishop Jose Cabantan, Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro; and Bishop Reynaldo Evangelista, Diocese of Imus.
The bishops appealed for “prudence and sustainability,” urging the government to invest aggressively in renewable energy rather than pursue nuclear power, which they warned carries irreversible and catastrophic risks.
Their message appeared directed at Pangasinan Second District Rep. Mark Cojuangco, who has been keenly pushing for the Labrador project even without clear direction from concerned agencies or perhaps President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The bishops declared: “We oppose the construction of a nuclear power plant—maintaining that it should not be built in Pangasinan or anywhere else.”
They noted that while the Philippines is rich in renewable resources such as solar, it is also among the world’s most disaster-prone nations, lying on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” and frequently struck by typhoons and earthquakes.
Citing the tragic lessons of Japan—from the atomic bombings to the 2011 Fukushima meltdown—the bishops warned against “insoluble dangers” posed by nuclear accidents and long-term waste disposal.
“The long-term repercussions overshadow any perceived short-term benefits,” they said. “Mas malaki ang perwisyo kaysa benepisyo.”
They urged the government to prioritize four concerns:
- Vulnerability to Disaster.
- Irreversible Waste Problem.
- Emphasis on Renewable Energy,
- Prioritization of Life Over Efficiency.
“Buhay muna bago kuwarta! Tao muna bago lahat! Aanhin ang benepisyo kung mas malagim ang perwisyo!” (Leonardo Micua)
