KALIBO, AKLAN — Several environmental groups in Panay Island denounced the plan of the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) to establish a nuclear plant in Semirara Island in Antique province.

Earlier, PNRI Director Carlo Arcilla said that the Semirara Island in Caluya, Antique was the potential site of a nuclear power plant, which was opposed by activists as it was not going to be environmentally-friendly especially for the province.

Bong Sanchez of the Save Antique Movement said the group urged Rep. Loren Legarda and provincial officials to issue a resolution opposing its construction.

“This is in lieu of the economic benefit the province may gain which is being considered by the Office of the Vice Governor,” Sanchez said.

Juan Carlo Alonsagay, president of the Alpha Team Organization-ATO Inc. which is a Philippines-based youth organization with focus on social and creative activism, said that the welfare of workers in the plant and residents of the island is paramount.

“If (they) can’t even ensure the safety of workers and the environmental health of the island, please don’t be foolish enough to think of putting it there,” he said in his social media posts.

Activist Siegfred Deduro, vice president of the Bayan Visayas based in Iloilo, said he also condemned the proposal to establish a nuclear power plant in the island due to its proximity to the West Panay Fault.

“This is a very dangerous prospect. (It) may trigger a nuclear fallout during earthquakes,” Deduro said.