Opposition without substance
Pimentel said he will see to it that the Senate will also make the life of those venturing into the technology difficult.
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Daily TribunePimentel said he will see to it that the Senate will also make the life of those venturing into the technology difficult.
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The political opposition has stooped down to the level of anarchists derailing the development thrusts of the administration of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.
The super minority of two in the Senate, for instance, had taken the lead in blocking the passage of the Maharlika Investment Fund bill on the pretext that it is a "bad idea" without offering any substance to the opposition.
Marcos certified the bill as urgent but the Senate had indicated that it will not hand the approval of the measure on a silver platter, with Pimentel saying he is determined to block it.
Likewise, the Senate minority is determined to set up hurdles to the shift to nuclear energy which some private firms including power distributor Meralco are considering.
Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel said the use of nuclear technology must first be authorized by law while rattling off a list of bureaucratic minefields directed at those contemplating entering into the energy source.
Meralco said it will seek US government help in studying the development of nuclear energy through small modular reactors as part of its adoption of next-generation clean energy technologies.
SMRs have a capacity of up to 300 MW that can be deployed to off-grid areas which are beyond the reach of the electricity grid.
The recent visit of US Vice President Kamala Harris somewhat gave direction to the country's nuclear ambitions as negotiations started on a civil nuclear cooperation agreement.
The process of the US sharing nuclear technology with the Philippines will be circuitous as the agreement will just be the first step in providing the legal basis for US exports of nuclear equipment and material to the country.
The US, through the so-called "123 agreement" will then have to seek US Congress approval for the nuclear technology export.
Instead of easing the process, however, Pimentel said he will see to it that the Senate will also make the life of those venturing into the technology difficult.
Pimentel said there must be a law on how nuclear waste is managed.
"In short, the decision to adopt nuclear power generation is not for the executive branch alone to decide. Congress must be involved in formulating this policy," he said.
He then said that the Local Government Code requires consultations with local governments and residents of the venue of the power plant.
Nuclear power is considered the option that will speed up the shift from coal plants which is a commitment of the country in the thrust to reduce greenhouse emissions.
The quality of leadership is tested in the way that the elected officials respond by setting aside partisan interest in achieving a common goal.
In the factor of providing enlightenment, Pimentel and his band of detractors have miserably failed.
