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MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III has expressed openness to a proposal to use modern nuclear power technology in Mindanao to address the power shortage in the region.
Aquino said what is important is to ensure that whatever nuclear power plant is built in Mindanao will conform to international safety standards, citing the radiation case in Fukushima, Japan.
"We will study that," Aquino said in a press briefing on Monday.
Former lawmaker Mark Cojuangco, during last week's power summit in Davao City, ha proposed the use of small modular reactors, a relatively new and supposedly safer form of nuclear power, for Mindanao.
"There is an ongoing study (on the possible use of nuclear power in Mindanao) by the Department of Science and Technology," the President said.
Aquino, however, remained lukewarm to proposals to stop the planned privatization of the Agus and Pulangi hydroelectric power plants.
"I never said I am totally in favor of privatizing it. But in Luzon, we have privatized a lot of plants and this resulted in increased capacity," he said.
"What we want is to make power rates reasonable so there has to be excess capacity to spur competition," the President added.
He also ruled out the possibility of subsidizing power rates in Mindanao.
"That is not a good strategy. Where would we get the funds for the subsidy? And if we make the power rates artificially low, we will not encourage citizens to consume only what they need," the President said.
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