Manila Philippines – A legislator wants to investigate the Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement (or “123 Agreement”) between the Philippines and the United States.
According to House Deputy Minority Leader and Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT-Teachers) Partylist Representative France Castro, they want to investigate the ‘so-called’ fastest negotiated agreements in history.
“The newly signed civil nuclear cooperation deal between the US and the Philippines was the fastest negotiated in the history of such agreements because of the extremely unequal status of the two countries; one is the neo-colonizer while the other is the neo-colony, Castro said in a statement.
The lawmaker is also encouraging House leaders to re-deliver the House Resolution 582, which seeks to investigate such ‘123 Agreement’.
The lawmaker is also concerned about the possible impact of studying nuclear plants in the country not only on the public but also its threat against nature.
Castro said that the modular nuclear plant should also be opposed as it poses a dangerous threat to the Philippines.
“Dapat talagang tutulan ang modular nuclear plants na ito dahil napakadelikado sa ating bansa. We must prioritize the safety of our people and the protection of our environment over any perceived benefits from this questionable nuclear deal,” according to the lawmaker.
In a statement released by the US State Department, it said that Washington and Manila ‘entered into force’ negotiations about Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy (or “123 Agreement”) on July 2.
The purpose of this agreement is to improve cooperation in energy, and strengthen the long-standing relationship between the Philippines and America, as well as in the economic sector.
“On July 2, the United States and Philippines’ Agreement for Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy (or “123 Agreement”) entered into force. The Agreement will enhance our cooperation on clean energy and energy security and strengthen our long-term bilateral diplomatic and economic relations,” the US State Department said in a statement.
Washington said, under this agreement there will be a framework for the export of materials, equipment, and nuclear plant components from America to another country.
The Civil nuclear cooperation agreement also allows the transfer of information regarding nuclear research, and civil nuclear energy production.
It is expected that around 40 companies from allied countries will participate in the development of nuclear energy in the Philippines.
It was November last year, when the Philippines and US signed the 123 Agreement during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leader’s meeting held in Los Angeles, California.