Part 3/16:
The Philippines has a long and complex history with nuclear energy. In 1985, construction of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) was completed, fully paid for by Filipino taxpayers at a cost exceeding 2 billion USD, including interest. The plant was designed to operate safely, with features such as seismic gaps and flexible joints to withstand earthquakes typical of the Pacific Ring of Fire. However, following the 1986 ousting of President Ferdinand Marcos and the Chernobyl disaster in 1986, plans to activate and operate BNPP were shelved due to safety and political concerns.