The Philippine government is exploring nuclear power options to guard against global energy shocks, including potentially reviving the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, which has been mothballed for 40 years. Built during the 1970s under President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., the plant's single 621-megawatt reactor was completed in 1984 but never switched on. Current President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., elected in 2022, has revived the pursuit of atomic energy amid fallout from wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.

The hulking concrete structure sits on an 800-acre site in Bataan, fenced off from the seaside town of Morong. Plant manager Noel Germano and seven engineers maintain the facility by manually turning thousands of analog dials and switches to prevent decay. The interior resembles a museum diorama, with a radiation suit on display but no nuclear material present.

Reviving the plant faces significant hurdles: high costs for a cash-strapped country, lingering public skepticism tied to the Marcos Sr. era's corruption, and safety concerns in an earthquake- and tsunami-prone region. Residents of Morong, about a mile away, fear nuclear catastrophe. Questions persist about the Philippines' technical expertise and the wisdom of the site selection, originally chosen for abundant cooling water and perceived tsunami safety.