Manila: A coalition of Filipino bishops has voiced strong opposition to the government’s proposal to construct a nuclear power plant in Western Pangasinan, approximately 125 miles north of Manila, raising concerns over safety, environmental sustainability, and ethical responsibility.
On December 4, church leaders representing six dioceses within the Ecclesiastical Province of Lingayen-Dagupan issued a pastoral letter addressing the controversial project. “We, your pastors, write to you today with profound concern regarding the recent proposal to construct a nuclear power plant in Western Pangasinan,” the bishops stated in their joint message.
The letter was endorsed by Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan, Bishop Napoleon B. Sipalay of Alaminos, Auxiliary Bishop Fidelis B. Layog of Lingayen-Dagupan, Bishop Jacinto A. Jose of Urdaneta, Bishop Daniel O. Presto of San Fernando, La Union, Bishop Prudencio P. Andaya of Cabanatuan, and Father Getty A. Ferrer, JCD, from the Diocese of San Jose, Nueva Ecija.
In forming their position, the Filipino bishops drew on lessons from Japan’s Fukushima disaster. They cited the message of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan, issued on the 10th anniversary of the nuclear accident, which emphasized the moral imperative to “protect life” and recognize the limitations of human knowledge when confronting unprecedented catastrophes. Japanese church leaders further argued that nuclear power is fundamentally incompatible with a “symbiotic society” that honors and respects all life, without exception. Bishops in Japan and Korea have also opposed the discharge of “treated” radioactive water into the oceans, warning of long-term environmental consequences.
The Filipino bishops also referenced the guidance of the late Pope Francis, who highlighted the importance of safety, prudence, and environmental stewardship for future generations. Emphasizing the principle of prudence, the bishops warned that the possibility of a catastrophic nuclear event “demands that we prioritize human safety and environmental protection above immediate economic gains.”
The pastoral letter underscored the Philippines’ abundant renewable energy potential. “We are blessed with an abundance of renewable energy potential, and the solution to our energy needs exists in strict and urgent implementation of the Renewable Energy Law, in effect since 2008,” the bishops noted. They called for substantial investments in renewable energy infrastructure, emphasizing that sustainable and safe alternatives would provide long-term benefits without endangering lives or ecosystems.
Highlighting their commitment to future generations, the bishops concluded: “Pangasinan is not ours alone. We owe it to those who come after us to safeguard it from a potential nuclear catastrophe. The risks far outweigh the benefits.”
Their message comes as the Philippines continues to navigate energy demands while balancing environmental preservation and public safety, reiterating the Church’s longstanding call for ethical and sustainable development.