Energy & Resources
Philippines should revisit nuclear power as electricity prices rise, Marcos says
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos said on Monday that the country should reconsider nuclear power as it faces high electricity prices and a national energy emergency.
“Perhaps it is time for us to revisit nuclear energy production,” Marcos told a joint session of Congress during his State of the Nation address.
He said the government would ensure that nuclear power was safe and would explain its potential benefits to the public. Marcos did not announce a specific nuclear energy plan.
The Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, the Philippines’ only nuclear facility, was completed in the 1980s but never began operating because of corruption allegations and safety concerns.
The Philippines has held exploratory nuclear energy talks with Japan, France, Russia and the United States.
In May 2024, Manila announced an agreement with Washington to train Filipinos to construct and operate nuclear power plants.
Carlo Arcilla, a former director of the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, told AFP that reopening the nuclear debate was a “no-brainer”.
He said hydroelectric and geothermal energy were insufficient to meet demand, particularly in the Visayas.
Marcos also announced measures intended to provide relief for middle-income earners, including raising the income-tax exemption threshold from 250,000 pesos to 350,000 pesos, or about $5,670.
Around 3,000 protesters gathered outside the House of Representatives demanding accountability over an alleged corruption scandal involving bogus flood-control projects.
Marcos said charges were being prepared against former House speaker Martin Romualdez, his cousin.
Update
Marcos said nuclear power might help a country paying the highest electricity prices in the region.
He said the government would ensure nuclear energy was safe and would explain its benefits to the public.
The Bataan Nuclear Power Plant was completed in the 1980s but never launched because of corruption issues and safety concerns.
The Philippines has held exploratory talks on nuclear energy with Japan, France, Russia and the United States.
The Philippines announced a May 2024 deal with the United States to train Filipinos to build and operate nuclear power plants.
Marcos gave no specifics about his nuclear energy plans.
Former Philippine Nuclear Research Institute director Carlo Arcilla supported reopening the nuclear energy discussion and urged concrete action.
Marcos also announced tax relief for people earning up to 350,000 pesos, compared with a previous threshold of 250,000 pesos.
About 3,000 protesters demonstrated near the House of Representatives over a corruption scandal tied to bogus flood control projects.
Marcos said his cousin, former House speaker Martin Romualdez, would soon face charges prepared by the ombudsman.
Source note: AFP news report published on 27 July 2026 at 10:45:32 UTC.
Update
Marcos made the remarks in a nationally televised speech to a joint session of Congress.
He had declared a national energy emergency earlier this year.
AFP reported that the Philippines pays the highest electricity prices in the region.
Marcos said nuclear energy would need to be safe and its benefits explained properly to the public.
Source note: AFP news report published on 27 July 2026 at 09:12:55 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
Marcos did not give specific details of any nuclear energy plan in the supplied material.
The supplied material does not say when any nuclear project might begin.
The source attributes planned charges against Martin Romualdez to the ombudsman but does not provide the detailed charges.
Source
AFP news report published on .