By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.

QUEZON CITY — Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) Chief Dr. Persida V. Rueda-Acosta has been recognized as an outstanding leader and public servant awardee of the 3rd Diamond Excellence Awards 2023.

“I’d like to convey my sincerest gratitude to the selection committee,” Acosta said in her acceptance speech.

Acosta was appointed to be the head of the PAO on Feb. 23, 2001 by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

She has tirelessly worked and lobbied for the passage into law of Republic Act 9406, otherwise known as “The PAO Law”, which elevated the PAO into an independent and autonomous office.

Acosta said that her humble beginnings have taught her to be a dedicated servant and leader.

Aside from Acosta, among the awardees were television host Boy Abunda; movie actors Teresa Loyzaga and Edu Manzano; veteran writer Ricky Lee, and Senator Imee Marcos.

A LED billboard of the awardees was mounted along Manhattan Street in New York City, the United States of America.

The organizers of the prestigious award-giving body said that the billboard will be displayed until the first quarter of next year.

By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.

MANILA – Rolando Estabillo, chairman of the Philippine Press Institute (PPI) stressed on Wednesday (Nov. 29) the great “chasm” between the overdose of fake news and the benefits that can be derived from inoculation, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Estabillo cited the immense power and role of the media in combating fake news, especially during times of pandemic and beyond during the first day of the “Injecting Hope” seminar-workshop held at the Century Park Hotel in the City of Manila.

Chito Maniego, of Pfizer Philippines, said that the seminar-workshop is a recognition of the significant role of the media in the dissemination of accurate and credible news and information, notably during the pandemic.

Maniego assured the continued support and collaboration of Pfizer with the members of the media as far as catching up vaccination and life-course immunization are concerned.

Teodoro Padilla, executive director of the Pharmaceutical & Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP), cited the effects of Covid-19 such as “lockdowns” and even the world economic stagnation.

Padilla noted the important role of the media in reporting about the Covid-19 pandemic which hardly hit the country from March 15, 2020 until the end of 2022 which even claimed the lives of the media practitioners themselves.

Last week, the PHAP launched “The Power of Innovation”, a report on the contributions of the Philippine Pharmaceutical Industry.

The PHAP came out with the report taking into consideration the period of three years, during which time Covid-19 has claimed millions of lives, livelihood opportunities lost, economies closed down and the families’ ways of living have been altered.  

“Vaccines will not work if people do not take them. In general, the loss of confidence in physicians, determines the confidence in vaccines,” Padilla said.

Dr. Janis Bunoan Macazo, program manager of the National Program for Immunization of the Department of Health (DOH), discussed The National Program for Immunization: Responding to the Needs for Protection Across Life Stages.

One of the priority programs in the Philippines which started in 1966. The DOH wanted to promote that vaccination is good from pregnancy to adulthood. The life stages are pregnancy, neonatal age, infancy, childhood, adolescence and adulthood.

Just last August 2023, the DOH launched the “First Immunization Summit” through the auspices of the UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund) which highlighted the National Immunization Program of the DOH, with the participation of the local government units (LGUs).

“Bakunanays and PapaVaccines” advocate for vaccination to promote inoculation for vaccine-preventable diseases.

There is now a proposed Immunization Bill which has passed the First Reading in the House of Representatives in the 19^th Congress that hopefully would be passed, enacted and signed into law during the term of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.

Atty, Odilon Luis Pasaraba, Undersecretary for Project Development Management of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), said that the government recognizes the involvement of local and regional centers in the implementation of vaccination operations in preventing deaths.

The success of vaccination program hinges on the importance of public trust, both as to the vaccines to be administered in the efficacy and effectiveness of the vaccines.

“Need and importance of a whole-of-nation an a whole-of-government approach. Planning is crucial. Unhampered implementation of all vaccination related drives amid priority emergency programs,” Pasaraba said.

“We submitted a proposal to the Department of Health (DOH) in 2022 to incentivize the local government units who delivered in the vaccination program to incentivize and recognize the LGUs but has yet to be acted upon,” he added.

Considering that vaccination is mandatory, the local government personnel can only do so much and hopefully no “kalabasa award” for those LGUs who may not have performed well in the government’s vaccination efforts.

“We need to give due courtesy to the DOH as they are the key implementor of the vaccination program of the government. We just let them do the strategies on such matter,” Pasaraba said.

The PPI organized the two-day (Nov. 29-30) seminar-workshop in partnership with Pfizer, PHAP, Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations, and Philippine Foundation for Vaccination, among others.

By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.

MANILA – The Philippine Medical Association (PMA) on Wednesday (Nov. 29) revealed that they have come up with the “Masaya ang Pasko ng Bakunadong Pilipino” during the post-pandemic period.

Dr. Benito Atienza, immediate past president of the PMA, noted that the Philippines ranked fourth in vaccination worldwide with 2.7 million vaccine jabs in a day.

The PMA has projected that by 2022, there shall have been a 90 percent uptake of vaccination.

It recommended the annual national vaccination days for all Filipinos, Digital synchronized National individual immunization record, Immunization record as a requirement for school entrant, updated record for high school and college, Include vaccine history in every annual Physical Education (PE) for employment, and General Immunization and infectious lectures incorporated in science subject from vaccine expert for grade school and high school.

The local governments of Palawan and Quezon have invested on 100 children to educate them on the importance of vaccination across life stages.

“Vaccination is cost-effective. The vaccination record is very important, especially with the new entrants in schools,” Dr. Atienza said.

“The PMA has advocated that the schools should be used for vaccination drive as the children are already in the place for the inoculation campaign,” he added.

Dr. Lourdes Carolina I. Dumlao, president of the Philippine Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology, at the end of 2023, the population of the Philippines will be at 117,337,357.

Immunosenescence means that as people get older, there are changes in their immunity system. Inflammaging means that adult people become more vulnerable to diseases.

Actually, there are vaccines for preventable diseases. Aside from Flu or Influenza and Pneumococcal vaccines, there are more vaccines that are recommended to older people.

There is a need to revaccinate the older people, who are 65 years old and above, as their immunity wanes. There’s not a lot of studies pertaining to older people

Persons with Dementia, who do not have the cognitive ability of their ailments, are also part of a special group of people. Not all vaccines are preventable, however, they prevent death and severe disease to those who have been vaccinated.

By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.

MANILA – Health Undersecretary Enrique “Eric” A. Tayag on Thursday (Nov. 30) categorically said that “Vaccination saves lives.”

“Vaccination saves lives is the more powerful message while it helps prevents and mitigates diseases,” Dr. Tayag said on the second day of the “Injecting Hope” seminar-workshop organized  by the Philippine Press Institute held at the Century Park Hotel in this city.

The suggestion on the increase public trust and confidence in vaccination, which for Dr. Tayag is something that should be measurable.

“Adopt a whole-of-society, whole-of-government and integrated approach for vaccination and the usual suspects are the DOH, DILG, DepEd and we are saying a whole-of-government approach,” Dr. Tayag said.

The Department of Health (DOH) official was concerned about the matter that the “media can make or break” such that the media has the power to make or break anything.

However, it was clarified that “make or break” was tackled during the previous presentations during the seminar-workshop.

“I always believe that what is not written did not happen,” Undersecretary Tayag said.

The DOH executive expressed the hope that it should always be for the good of everything, saying that “Solid evidence or backup information is needed before saying that it (vaccination) impacts on that and others.”

He noted that community and patient education is “broad” that “you can actually provide information to just anybody else.”

Usec. Tayag cited the case of a patient who is taking medicines for high blood pressure, but nobody would dare ask whether such medicines are for Influenza or Pneumococcal.

“You cannot counter a scientific evidence with another scientific evidence,” he told the seminar-workshop participants.

During the Dengvaxia, Tayag said that “It was not about logic. It’s about emotions. It’s difficult to correct that. It’s already emotions.”

“You needed sources of information to debunk myths. Interview credible resource persons in order to come out with the best story,” he added.

“The best story is just you make a picture of a long line of people waiting for their time for vaccination. You’re not only promoting vaccination. The image itself shows a good story. Your own experience from you, yourselves is the best story,” Dr. Tayag said.

It was pointed out that the social media influencers are not part of the local community journalist.

Dr. Tayag has retired from government service in April 2023, but he was promoted to the rank of Undersecretary, which is “co-terminus”, hence, he will serve until the end of term of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. in 2028.

“I still think Philippine media is reliable because DOH officials are still talking about figures and yet the media is already reporting about 182,000 cases,” Dr. Tayag said.

“You are not a good mentor if you yourselves are not doing it,” he added.

The Philippine Foundation for Vaccination is turning 25 years old and yet it still studying about the vaccines.

“All of these talks about trust and the easiest way to get the trust is not sa isip, hindi sa salita at sa gawa. And this holds true for any story. Pag nakita nyo po ang nagpapabakuna, gusto ko rin yon. There are vaccines. There are vaccinators,” Dr. Tayag.

Dr. Tayag cited for an example that in October 2023, when there was an increase in Influenza-like disease, the elderlies were made to make a long line only to find out that the Influenza is still coming by November.

“Patutunayan nyo na ubos na ang Flu vaccines (You will prove that Flu vaccines are out),” Dr. Tayag said as he challenged the participants in the seminar-workshop.

“If we will have the capability to make our own vaccine, it would be much cheaper,” he added.

The DOH executive stressed that what China confirmed is that this is a mixed pathogens or “walking pneumonia”, which has no anti-biotic drug for cure.

“Because of the three-year lockdown, we were not able to develop an anti-biotic vaccine. Hence, at the start of the year, we have 200,000 Influenza-like cases,” Dr. Tayag said.

By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.

MANILA – Anakalusugan party-list Rep. Ray Reyes, vice chairperson of the House Committee on Health, tackled on Thursday (Nov. 30) the response of the local government unit, or the government in particular, on the whole-of-society approach on vaccination.

Also as a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Reyes said that in Batangas province, the number one issue is “trabaho (employment)” and the second is the health issue, especially during the pandemic period.

During the second day of the “Injecting Hope” seminar-workshop in Century Park Hotel in this city, Rep. Reyes noted that In the 2024 budget, the way they crafted the appropriations is mainly on socio-economic development where Php20 billion was put on basic healthcare needs, such as dialysis centers and the primary health centers, among others.

Rep. Reyes said that medical assistance to indigent patients which also increased, family health, nutrition and family health program, particularly the National Immunization Program which is appropriated with Php8.26 billion for 2024, which is still higher than the Php7 billion budget in 2023.

He noted though that the actual budget request of the Department of Health (DOH) for 2024 is Php204 billion.

“Geographically-isolated areas are places where the vaccination hesitancy has a higher rate,” he said.

“You can be assured that these Barangay Health Workers are going house-to-house in order to provide the basic health services to the far-flung areas,” he said.

There is now a pending bill in the House of Representatives in the 19^th Congress seeking to institutionalize the Barangay Health Workers who do not only deserve a monthly honorarium, but more benefits for them and make them regular government employees as they serve in the grass roots level.

“We don’t have to assert our authority over them because of sophisticated intelligence. There are credible media organizations. Sometimes, it’s difficult to believe the media,” Rep. Reyes said.

Dr. Willie Ong was cited as the number 1 media influencer in the medical field, who is also a credible “talking head” for the media organizations.

“Because of the Mandanas ruling which states that most of the vaccines have to be devolved in the local government units (LGUs). The problem is, they do not have the capability,” Rep. Reyes said.

Rep. Reyes cited for an example the City of Sto. Tomas in Batangas province where the schools through the PTAs (Parents and Teachers Association) suddenly were tapped as the “voice” of the local government.

“Let’s all be the vehicle to give the right information. The advocacy of Anakalusugan is healthcare,” Reyes said.

Rep. Reyes is an engineer by professional training and not even a doctor.

The Universal Health Law provides that everybody now is a member of PhilHealth (Philippine Health Insurance Corporation) where the National Health Program is given a budget of Php101 billion which goes to PhilHealth.

It also mandates that only a 25 percent “out of pocket” shall be shouldered by PhilHealth members.

However, Rep. Reyes said that PhilHealth is burdening those who are applying for PhilHealth membership as they are giving them a hard time in complying with the requirements such that a National Identification (ID) card is not even enough to secure such a membership.

PhilHealth has an “excess budget” of Php200 billion such that they can operate in two years’ time without asking for subsidy from the national government.

“It (Php200 billion) is an unutilized budget which can otherwise be used to other health programs of the government,” Rep. Reyes said.

By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.

MANILA – Media can make or break anything, according to health experts.

Dr. Lulu Bravo, executive director of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination (PFV), said that the media can really make or break any event, any people, anything anyway during the second day on Thursday (Nov. 30) of “Injecting Hope” seminar-workshop organized by the Philippine Press Institute (PPI) and Pfizer Philippines held at the Century Park Sheraton Hotel in the City of Manila.

It was in 1974, that Dr. Bravo started looking at how many children finished their vaccination in a year, however, it was found out that only 10 percent finished such vaccination.

The professor emeritus of the University of the Philippines Manila has been advocating for vaccination for the last 50 years, making her credible in the field of vaccination.

She has been conducting vaccination trials for the last 36 years with different companies and that she can give lectures “pro bono”.

It’s not true that receiving vaccine can cause autism. Also, there are now 12 organized groups in the United States of America who are spreading disinformation about vaccines.

Likewise, it’s not true that the ingredients in vaccines are dangerous in the sense that health scientists and experts study vaccines to save lives, insure safety and efficacy of vaccines and continue to do research to improve.

There are always other experts to check each other for their accuracy and reliability. It’s not only one person that is doing the test but there are many.

It’s also not true that receiving a vaccine can cause disability and death such that clinical trials are done on vaccines to insure its safety.

On the other hand, it’s partially true that better hygiene and sanitation are actually responsible for decreased infections, not vaccines. It’s not true that adults do not need vaccines because they are stronger.

Children with less mature immune system are most vulnerable to diseases but parents and adults can protect them if they are themselves vaccinated or immune. They can protect the children by not transmitting the disease to them.

It’s partially true for some diseases that the natural immunity I get from being sick with a disease is better than the immunity I get from vaccination like measles but there is a high risk of dying from getting the disease which you do not get from being vaccinated.

However, it’s not true with Covid-19 such that partial protection from natural disease is achieved but vaccination will offer greater protection especially with variants coming in.

Having dengue for the last 70 years in the Philippines did not improve the vaccine.

24 million people more could have died without the vaccination for the first year of Covid-19, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

It’s not true that researchers rushed the development of the Covid-19 vaccine, so its effectiveness and safety cannot be trusted.

There are more chances of you getting hit by lightning, or encounter a vehicular accident than getting an auto-immune disease. That’s why the benefits outweigh the disadvantages when it comes to vaccines.

It’s true that social media is full of stories telling about vaccine bad effects but are they true? They should not be immediately shared, but rather, think about it before sharing it.

It’s not true that all events reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System are caused by vaccination.

Those related to vaccines such as allergy, anaphylaxis or side effects causing hospitalization, can be compensable under the law.

10 important facts on the benefits of vaccines

Vaccines can protect against related diseases.

Vaccines extend life expectancy.

Some vaccines prevent cancer. Hepatitis B vaccines have anti-cancer properties against stomach cancer.

Vaccines enhance equity where poor or rich people are equal in terms of vaccination.

Vaccines prevent the development of diseases.

Vaccines empower women.

Vaccines promote peace because in Pakistan, a ceasefire is declared when there is vaccination.

Vaccination contributes to economic growth.

In 319 days, China has developed a vaccine against SARS-COV 2, otherwise known as Covid-19.

“If a pandemic occurs, you will have ‘100-day mission’ wherein when the ‘genetic code’ is secured, in 100 days, a vaccine can be developed,” Dr. Bravo said.

“We are working on vaccine hesitance and had been working with PAPO for the longest time on meningitis because we wanted people to advocate on awareness on meningitis,” she added.

Dr. Bravo, who has been a “clinical trialist” for the longest time, had been working on vaccines for the last 50 years.

Prevalence of cases of Belle’s Palsy or Auto-Immune Disease in certain areas may determine whether or not vaccines have to be introduced.

In 2019, 800 children died of measles when in fact, since 2005 measles had been eradicated.

Baguio City has a good vaccination program because they were “burned” with Meninggococcal infectious disease, knowing that only 0.1 percent may die of Dengue or Hemorrhagic Fever.

Dr. Bravo cited that 27 Health officials have been indicted for Reckless Imprudence Resulting ton Multiple Homicide due to the inoculation of Dengvaxia Vaccines, which for her, is a form of “harassment”.

The WHO mentioned that nice thing happened in the Philippines that despite the 70 percent vaccination hesitancy among the elderlies, still the country managed to weather the Covid-19 pandemic.

Dr. Bravo noted that Sally Gatchalian, a sister of Ruby Rodriguez, died from Covid-19.

“We are fighting the DOM. Disinformation, Oportunista and Misinformation, whether or not intentional. They are the anti-vaxxers,” she said.

Dr. Bravo, 73 years old and a pediatrician by professional training, said that for as long as the intention is pure, honest and for the common good, it does not matter whether or not there is a reward or punishment in so far as information related to Covid-19 is concerned.     

Fatima “Girlie” Lorenzo, board member of the Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations (PAPO), the consumer-based Health Care Advocacy organized PAPO.

The contribution of PAPO to the “Whole-of-society” approach to vaccination is the “Kwentong Bakuna” where many were convinced to get vaccinated against Covid-19.

Pretle: Framework to engage various stakeholders for an integrated approach in developing and implementing an immunization/vaccination program.

P is for Policy where the head is the Department of Health (DOH), including the FDA (Food and Drugs Administration), Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC), DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government), DepEd (Department of Education), and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Integration and harmonization must be done within the DOH and its attached agencies.

R is for Research and Innovation where Globe and Smart may provide free internet or construct a cell site for the dissemination of information on vaccines.

E is for Evaluation where feedback is important on how we can evaluate the efficacy of vaccination.

T stands for Technical Assistance provided by the World Health Organization (WHO), Alliance for Improving Health

L is for Legislation in order to amend the Procurement Law, Immunization Bill and Barangay Health Workers Magna Carta wherein the BHWs only receive a Php500 monthly allowance.

E stands for Engagement wherein the PPI, Social Media can help disseminate information on vaccination.

PAPO can make referrals to their support groups.

The Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR) is now threatening to be the next pandemic disease.

Lorenzo stressed that PAPO had not been invited to a seminar-workshop or forum and it’s the first time that PAPO had invited by the PPI for the conduct of the seminar-workshop.

By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.

MANILA — In celebration of its 131st Anniversary, the Philippine National Railways (PNR) on Thursday (Nov. 23), through its “Do Good Day”, donated toys, books, and clothes to nursery schools near the PNR alignment in Tondo, Manila. 

PNR General Manager Jeremy S. Regino joined the “Do Good Day” and spearheaded the turn-over of the donations to the New Life Tutorial Day Care Center in Barangay 105, Tondo, Manila. 

With 59 daycare center students, the PNR executive and staff provided them with food, snacks and gifts such as school books and environment-friendly toys. The student beneficiaries are pre-schoolers with ages ranging from four to six years of age. 

 “Sa mga bata po, sana nakapagdulot kami nang kahit konting kaligayahan sa pamamagitan ng pamimigay sa kanila ng konting regalo at donasyon,” Atty. Celeste D. Lauta, Assistant General Manager, said.. 

 GM Regino was greeted with “Merry Christmas” by the pre-school children. 

 They also expressed their heartfelt gratitude to GM Regino. Barangay 70 Zone 6, Pavia St., Tondo, Manila wiith 60 pre-schoolers followed as the next batch of beneficiaries at 1 pm the same day. 

“Happy Birthday PNR” was all that the pre-schoolers could utter for their gratitude to Regino. 

 “Ito po ay gift-giving ng PNR bilang bahagi ng corporate social responsibility. May mga damit din na ipamimigay sa mga pre-schoolers sa Tondo. 

 ” Byaheng Calamba hanggang Legazpi ang priority ngayon ng PNR. 

 “May ginagawang feasibility study sa Norte at pagkatapos ng feasibility study ay gagawin na ang tinatawag na Long Haul project. ” 

Ang ginagawa natin ay Calamba to Clark na may speed na 120 kilometers per hour ang speed. 

 “Every 15 minutes magkakaroon ng byahe ang PNR trains sa mga ruta nito ” Mas mababa po ang maintenance ng PNR kaya di gaanong nagtataas ng pamasahe ang PNR. 

 “Kailangan po natin nang kaunting pasensya at pang-unawa para sa affordable, efficient at environment friendly na PNR service para sa publiko. . Auto pilot at gamit ang Artificial Intelligence kaya di magkakaroon ng collision sa PNR trains. 

 “By 2027, Malolos to Clark then by 2028, Clark to Calamba ay operational na,” Regino said. 

 The donation drive of the PNR will be extended until December as part of its Christmas initiatives for the public. 

 It’s part of the PNR’s corporate social responsibility in the concerned communities. Barangay 70 Zone 6, Pavia St., Tondo, Manila wiith 60 pre-schoolers followed as the next batch of beneficiaries at 1 pm the same day. 

With three sessions with 20 pre-schoolers each with ages ranging from three to four years old, the sessions are 8:30am to 9:30 am, 11am to 12pm and 1pm to 2pm. 

The beneficiaries were also provided with gifts such as learning and coloring materials for the children, toys. “Hello po GM Regino and to AGM Lauta,” the children shouted. . “Thank you PNR,” the children shouted aloud. The PNR will also conduct a blood-letting drive on Friday (Nov. 24).

By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.

QUEZON CITY – Pangasinan (2^nd District) Rep. Mark O. Cojuangco on Friday (Nov. 24) justified the utilization of cheap, clean and reliable nuclear energy in light of the depleting fossilized fuels and the climate change brought about by global warming.

During the Pandesal Forum in the 84-year-old Kamuning Bakery & Café in Quezon City, Cojuangco said “Do not be misled when they talk about renewable and fossil fuel. Huwag tayong magpalinlang.”

Cojuangco, who is the Chairman of the House Special Committee on Nuclear Energy, said “in 20 hours of storage, multiples na ang investments required ikumpara mo sa nukleyar.”

An advocate of nuclear energy for the past 17 years, Cojuango said “Wala pa po doon ang inverter para umandar ang battery and batteries do not generate power. In fact, it consumes power. It consumes power but it does not generate power. We don’t need storage for batteries.”

Cojuangco was the only Filipino who was bestowed by the United States of America the Award of Best Public Servant for his advocacy for nuclear energy for the longest time.

“Yesterday, nagpahayag si US President Joe Biden, kasama nya ang France at Germany, na kailangan ng i-triple and nuclear power plants. There are 450 more or less nuclear power plants in the US. We are talking of 900 nuclear power plants,” Cojuangco said.

“Libo-libong Pilipinong manggagawa ang tumulong sa apat na nuclear power plants sa United Arab Emirates with a total of four nuclear power plants with 450 megawatts each for a total 12,500 megawatts. Ito mismong oil exporting country ay nag invest na rin sa nuclear energy,” he added.

“Recently, within the last three weeks, kinontrata ng China ang 50-taon production ng energy ng Qatar. They did the same thing with a big country with the United States for energy production for the next 20 years,” Cojuangco said.

“Magiging kulelat po tayo sa supply ng kuryente. We are at risk of losing the source of energy supply compared to such rich countries,” he added.

“I think bago matapos ang first quarter of 2024, sa Bangladesh with 1,200 megawatts katumbas ng 2 BNPP1,” Cojuangco said.

“Bangladesh will open its nuclear power plant this year. We ‘missed the boat’ in 1986 instead, it’s 55 percent coal and we are so dependent on importation,” he added.

“Since 1986, the BNPP1 dumaan sa March 1984, at Marso 1985 nabisita ng KepCo at pwede nang kargahan ng uranium,” Cojuangco said.

“US Ambassador Stephen Bosworth, na anti-Marcos, inabutan ng 1986 People Power Revolution and the rest is history,” he noted.

“Nang bumisita sa South Korea in 2019 at 2020 sa Board Room ng Kepko sa South Korea na nakita ang picture ni Bosworth na nag-iinaugurate ng Korean nuclear power plant,” Cojuangco said.

“As of August 2023, 2.12 billion US dollars, 699 million dollars ay interest galing sa bulsa natin, dahil hindi umaandar ang BNPP1,” he added.

“In six years of operation, nabayaran ng South Korea ang kanilang nuclear power plant. Ikunsider nyo po na ang BNPP2 ay may foundation na sa BNPP1 at gumawa ng daan at nuclear village sa Morong, Bataan. Dapat po nakargahan ng fuel ng June 1985. Dapat August 1985 dry run at commercial operation by February 1986 pero napulitika at di nagamit,” Cojuangco said.

Then President Corazon Cory C. Aquino issued an Executive Order stopping the operationalization of the BNPP1, and later on, passed on to the Filipino people the decision on whether or not to proceed with the operation of the BNPP1.

“Maybe, media was in error. What did we lose by not using the nuclear energy. Posible ba na 1 percent GDP for each GDP for the last 37 years. Ilang trilyong piso at ilang milyong trabaho ang nacreate,” Cojuangco said.

“Ang nangyari naging 55 percent coal po tayo ang pinakadeadly at pinakamapanganib. Napaiksi natin ang buhay ng libo-libong Bataaeno na wala sa inyong nagreklamo. Magiging zero po ang fatality sa nuclear kung di icoconsider ang Chernobyl nuclear power plant na walang containment na parang bilog na building may bakal sa loob ,” he added.

“Tsunami wave map and not radiation at hanggang ngayon maraming nagpupumilit na radiation at nasusunog na Cosmo oil refinery in Chiba,” Cojuangco said. He was referring to a “Noah’s Map” which was used by international news organizations as a map of a nuclear radiation incident.

“PNPP1 nuclear power plant dummy was used in the presentation in SM Aura which was the nuclear waste we were talking about. Pwedeng itago sa dry cask storage like in Switzerland. It has never harmed anyone. Konte lang ang nuclear waste,” he added.

“PNPP1 is a 100 percent complete well-built nuclear power plant and we have continuing power crisis,” Cojuangco said.

“The two entities which could make this Bataan Nuclear Power Plant run are the President of the Philippines through an Executive Order and the Congress of the Philippines through a legislative measure for the purpose of allowing the use of the BNPP,” he added.

Cojuangco cited that Labrador town in Pangasinan province is willing to host a nuclear power plant which will have 2 times the 2021 consumption for every consumption for the entire life of the nuclear power plant. If their request is granted, Labrador will have the “cheapest” electricity in the Philippines.

“From 2007 upto now, I’m saying that there is no technical reason why we should not run that nuclear power plant in Bataan although the people of Bataan wanted it but the leaders did not want it and then President Ferdinand E. Marcos, Sr, was ‘demonized’,” Cojuangco said.

“Ang gusto ng Presidente (PBBM) ay ang kagustuhan ay manggaling sa taong bayan. Hindi nya ipipilit ang nuclear energy sa taong bayan,” he added.

“Kung ang Pangasinan, Quezon, Isabela, Zamboanga del Sur, Sarangani, kung gusto nila sa nuclear power plant, dapat payagan sila para matuldukan ang problema sa kakapusan ng enerhiya o kuryente at mahal ang kuryente,” Cojuangco said.

Ang PhilATOM Bill (Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority) in the House of Representatives, 200 ang pabor, 7 ang kumontra at 2 ang nag-abstain na mambabatas sa third and final reading sa House of Representatives na kung saan 6 centavos per kilowatthour na idedeposito ng nuclear operator sa nuclear fund na aabutin ng bilyong piso pagkaraan ng maraming taon,” he added.

The proposed bill has 213 co-authors and if passed and enacted into law, the Implementing Rules and Regulations will be drafted by independent stakeholders and with due guidance from the International Atomic Energy Agency.

“Technically, the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority will be under the Office of the President, who would have the option to appoint the Director General and the Deputy Director General of the PhilAtom,” Cojuangco said.

He said that the function of the Philippine Nuclear Research institute must not be the regulator and the promoter at the same time.

Nuclear waste is encased in dry cask for interim storage.

“Mas mura po ang kuryente sa neighboring countries natin hindi dahil sa may nuclear power plants sila kundi dahil mayroon silang indigenous power resources o vast gas reserves such as Indonesia,” Cojuangco said.

Nuclear energy is cheap electricity such that the 620 megawatts of power plant where Calaca coal power plant of 600 megawatts for Php33.6 billion or US$600 million wherein nuclear power in US is US$20 million or Php1.1 billion.

“According to the survey conducted during the administration of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, 79 percent of all Filipinos want nuclear energy dahil hindi na nila matiis ang taas ng kuryente,” Cojuangco said.

“We will convince them not with fake news but with numbers just like what Bill Gates did,” he said.

“It is ironic that mauna pa ang ibang probinsya when in fact nandyan na ang BNPP1. By 2045, there should be 16 nuclear power plants so that 16,000 megawatts of electricity will be generated in the country,” he added.

“Ang bureaucrats lalo na sa DOE (Department of Energy), they are afraid to think out of the box because of their job. Cojuangco has written 10 “incontrovetible benefits” of nuclear energy to the DOE but to no avail,” Cojuangco said.

“Nobody is telling about the story on the deadly coal. There is a sea change of attitude toward nuclear energy such that the Nuclear Energy will be included in the Green Energy, especially in Europe,” he said.

“Pumirma si President Bongbong Marcos sa ‘123 agreement’ with America. Article 123 of the 1954 Atomic Energy of America na nagsasabi na hindi pwedeng magpahayag ng nuclear energy na walang kontrata sa isang bansa. ‘123’ is the Intellectual Property Rights of the United States,” he added.

Cojuangco noted that the vendor countries such as Japan, Korea, China, Russia, France, Canada, Australia, Kazakshtan, Argentina and the United Kingdom ay nagbebenta ng uranium for nuclear power plant. Their reactors are very much the same with that of the BNPP1.

“America is not the only vendor. There is no need for a concurrence of a treaty in the Senate because it is a departmental agreement. The DOE, through the Department of Foreign Affairs, will write to its counterpart to a vendor country for the purpose of securing an agreement with them,” he said.

The coal consumption worldwide has helped global warming.

“Nuclear Reliability Act ay pumasa na sa House Committee pero ibinalik dahil mayroon pang babaguhin, Nuclear Power Incentives Act ay pino-propose pa rin sa House of Representatives,” Cojuangco said.

“Wala pong dahilan na teknikal na kung bakit di dapat gamitin ang nuclear plant sa Morong, Bataan. Ang Presidente lamang po ang may kapangyarihan na ‘i-overwrite’ ang gusto ng lokal sa Bataan at pwede rin sa pamamagitan ng isang plebisito,” he added.

Cojuangco said that with nuclear energy, electricity consumption will be less than half of the current prices of fossil fuels, adding that, Japan has more than 50 nuclear power plants. 50 percent of all their (Japan) energy is nuclear by 2050. South Korea has 19, Taiwan has 4, China has 55, 22 of which are under construction by 2030. Bangladesh has two, India has 19, Pakistan has four. Indonesia is also pursuing nuclear energy.

He challenged all the media practitioners to “soul-search” and “reframe the story of nuclear energy” based on evidence and not on hearsay.

“Umiiksi po ang buhay dahil sa fossil fuel na oil, coal at gas. 20 to 30 million dollars lang kung nuclear. Kung gusto natin na bumaba ang kuryente na less than 50 percent of the current prices ay dapat magnuclear na tayo,” Cojuangco said.

“Nasubukuan na ang lahat ng paraan ng paglikha ng kuryente sa nakalipas na 37 years at tanging nuclear energy lang ang mura, malinis at reliable. Hindi tayo dapat magpaalipin sa kuryente. Dapat alipinin natin ang kuryente. Nuclear na,” he added.

Gail Certeza, lead convenor of Alpas Pilipinas, said “Our advocacy is nuclear energy education. Magbigay ng Basic 101 sa Nuclear energy. I am a civilian in nuclear energy is as simple as it gets and as understandable as it gets.”

Top 10 questions on nuclear energy such as Alpas Pilipinas is the country’s leading organization for educating and advocating nuclear energy.

Alpas Pilipinas, a non-profit non-government organization, meets with grass-roots stakeholders pertaining to nuclear energy. Media is the gate-keeper of information. We really take time to talk to media.

“The media is the ambassadors of nuclear energy as you are the gate-keeper on what we have missed out. People are waiting for you to tell the nuclear story,” Certeza said.

How energy is generated in the Philippine? 55 percent coal, 20 percent gas, geothermal 13 percent, hydrothermal 11 percent, 0il is 7 percent, wind is 1 percent, among others.

“We are fuel fossil dependent as 75 percent of fuel to generate electricity are fossil fuel such as coal, gas and oil. US5.4 billion coal production of US and the imported coal for 2022 was at Php297 billion for the Philippines,” Certeza said.

“Renewable energy is such that the wind and solar are by nature sporadic, unreliable. No solar at night. Wind does not blow all the time. What would have happened to us if we opened the first nuclear power plan?” she added.

Bill Gates invested US$1 billion in renewables. The BNPP1 was supposed to be the first nuclear power plant in Southeast Asia.

As of 2009, there were 249 nuclear power plants around the world. The Philippine Nuclear Power Plant in Bataan was constructed in 1976.

“By nature, nuclear energy is very unique and it is dense kaya sya technology advance compared to coal, oil and gas. It is clean as clean as wind and solar and it can provide 24-hour energy. It is reliable,” Certeza said.

Certeza noted that 68 trillion watts of energy is consumed worldwide. As of 2005, less than 50 people died in the Chernobyl nuclear meltdown. From 1986 to 2019, only 46 deaths were recorded in Chernobyl nuclear accident in contrast to the alleged millions of deaths earlier reported.

There was zero casualty or injury in the Fukushima nuclear incident which was due to earthquake and tsunami.

“10 to 15 percent ng sweldo natin ay ginagamit sa pambayad natin ng kuryente. Mahal po ang ating kuryente kumpara sa ibang bansa. The BNPP can still be operationalized to the present time,” Certeza said.

“The ‘economic miracle’ of Taiwan is dependent on nuclear energy. On the level of the Filipino families, it will help a lot. On the level of business, all the more,” she added.

Abby Astronomo, scientist of the Department of Science and Technology and FNRI, said that the United States has 19 nuclear power plants, China has more than 50 nuclear power plants.

“In fact, we visited Slovenia in 1987. Nuclear power plant can be operational for 50 years and beyond. Kasi po ang nuclear power plants ay parang sasakyan na may iba’t-ibang design at components,” Astronomo said.

“Kasya po sa isang maliit na container kapag pinagsama-sama ang lahat ng nuclear waste ng lahat ng nuclear power plants sa buong mundo,” she added.

Astronomo also announced that this year, the “51^st Atomic Energy Week” will be observed in the first week of December with 600 local and international school participants.

‘As a government agency, we are advocating for nuclear energy for the last 50 years,” Astronomo said.

Meanwhile, Senator Francis Tolentino has filed Senate Bill No. 1194 an Act providing for a comprehensive nuclear energy in the Philippines.

It’s possible that in the coming weeks, a hearing will be called out in the Senate in connection with nuclear energy in the country.- By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.