Senator urges study on nuclear energy

CEBU, Philippines —  Senator Imee Marcos said the Philippines should seriously study the possibility of developing nuclear energy, citing Canada’s experience and other emerging energy alternatives, as she stressed the need to explore long-term solutions to the country’s power needs.

Speaking during a press conference in Cebu City on Saturday, Marcos said there are “a lot of possibilities on the table” in addressing energy security, including technologies that have already been adopted or studied by other countries such as Canada, which she noted has maintained a long record of nuclear safety.

She said the Philippines, being located in a disaster-prone region, must carefully evaluate risks such as earthquakes while also considering modern and safer nuclear technologies, including newer models being explored globally.

“There are many alternatives for energy, and I think it is long overdue that we study them properly,” Marcos said.

She said energy planning should be based on long-term national needs rather than short-term political considerations.

The senator also acknowledged differing views within Congress regarding energy policy, noting that discussions remain ongoing among lawmakers on the best path forward for the country’s power mix.

She emphasized that both the Senate and House continue to face constraints in building consensus on major infrastructure and energy reforms, but said this should not prevent deeper study and policy development.

Marcos maintained that while alternative energy options are promising, any move toward nuclear or other advanced systems must be backed by thorough study, strong regulatory frameworks, and public safety assurances.

Meanwhile, she emphasized the need for stronger involvement of Cebu and other regions in shaping national economic policies, saying that decisions made in Metro Manila often have wide-ranging effects on the provinces.

Marcos noted that while Metro Manila remains the center of policy formulation, regions such as Cebu City often experience the direct impact of national economic decisions without sufficient participation in the discussion process.

“In many ways, Cebu becomes the victim of policies decided in Metro Manila,” she said.

The senator encouraged Cebuanos to take a more active role not only in local political affairs but also in national economic matters, stressing that regional voices should be better represented in policy debates.

Marcos described Cebuanos as “practical, business-minded, and hard-working”--traits that make the province a key contributor to national development and economic resilience.

She also cautioned against what she described as an excessive focus on political issues in the capital, arguing that it detracts from more pressing economic concerns affecting the country.

“This over-emphasis on politics in Metro Manila is not helping the Philippines,” she said, calling for a more balanced national conversation that prioritizes economic stability and inclusive development across regions. (CEBU NEWS)