What are they, fools on the hill?

Al S. Mendoza

IS it true?

Say it ain’t.

I say this after I read Eva Visperas’s story at the Star on Wednesday, March 16.

Eva wrote that some of our Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) members aren’t backing out from a nuclear plant project built along the coastline of Pangasinan.

An SP resolution in February 2010 had endorsed the construction of said nuclear plant, supported by a Korean-based outfit.

In fairness, at this stage, not all our SP members are for it.

Eva cited the view of one board member that the project should not be totally shelved and, instead, further studies be made about the wisdom of building one.

That takes the cake.

Is he out of his mind?

In a quake-zone country like Japan and the Philippines (both belonging to the Pacific Ring of Fire), nuclear plants have always been a no-no.

Thinking about its construction should be taboo from the start.

Aborted altogether – more so in our beloved Pangasinan.

No ifs and buts there.

Archive it for the meantime?

Don’t even think about that.

Delete it.

Kill it.

Annihilate it.

Obliterate it.

Are we that dumb?

Or, have we become real fools on the hill?

Aside from that deadly quake-caused tsunami that has killed nearly 4,000 already – and counting – and has left almost 7,000 missing, Japan teeters on the brink of radiation leaks.

As I write this, Japan continues to be hit by explosions in at least 4 of its nuclear plants arising from that 9 (not 8.9) earthquake on March 11.

Cancer-causing radiation leaks from the quake-affected nuclear plants are being watched with eagle-like zeal.

Tokyo has been on red alert and, God have mercy, more tragedy in Japan is averted.

The world has several nuclear plants, with the U.S. having the most number with 47.

Japan is second with at least 27, with Korea and China having 5 each.

We have none.  Good.

Almost, we had the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant built many years back.

It was shot down when corruption reared its ugly head, thanks to the tight-guarding of environmental activists.

Sure, a nuclear plant can help lower down electricity costs.

But an accident caused by a quake will absolutely dwarf the benefits of a nuclear plant as can be seen today in Japan.

The world takes awe at how high-tech and industrialized Japan is the past 50 years or so.

But one earthquake, just one, can topple everything wondrous and magnificent that man does.

So, will our SP members please take heed?

Against the wrath of Mother Nature, nobody’s safe.

Will Guv Spines please torpedo that hogwash of a proposal?

I honestly wish he would.

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