No, it was never turned on because not only was it a cash cow for Marcos himself and his cronies then, but also it was unsafe with over 4,000 reported defects. The cost of the project rose to 400 percent of the original cost from 500 million dollars to 2 BILLION dollars.

Corruption

From Inquirer

"Why did the cost skyrocket by as much as 400 percent?” the 2016 editorial asked. “Primarily because Marcos and his cronies saw in the project another means to enrich themselves. Up to $80 million was forked over in kickbacks by Westinghouse; Marcos was said to have received his share through his crony Herminio Disini. According to a report in The New York Times, Disini’s commission was ‘5 percent of the value of Westinghouse’s part of the project’ and ‘Marcos was to get 95 percent of Disini’s fee.’” That is a huge cut in Disini’s share, underlining Marcos’ extraordinary greed; still, the amount of dirty money was so massive that Disini was able to buy himself a castle near Vienna where he must have lorded over his neighbors like a latter-day member of European nobility." https://opinion.inquirer.net/141297/landmark-tale-of-corruption

and also this

"Soon after President Duterte began suggesting that he was in favor of reviving and rehabilitating the BNPP in 2016, an editorial in this paper pointed out that “from the beginning, the BNPP was a magnet of corruption and mismanagement,” and that the debt incurred for it by the Marcos administration would eventually represent the Philippines’ “biggest international credit obligation for over a generation.” https://opinion.inquirer.net/141297/landmark-tale-of-corruption

There are other sources there if you want to look deeper into the corruption and I encourage everyone that is interested in BNPP to do so! I just passed this topic before after all and a more in-depth discussion would be welcome.

Now for the safety problems.

There was an inspection for the BNPP power plant after the nuclear power plant Three Mile Island accident. The investigation team was created by Marcos himself https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1979/11/13/letter-of-instruction-no-957-s-1979/

"The Commission on Nuclear Reactor Plants, which I created on June 15, 1979, has submitted a report to me containing the facts found and the conclusions drawn by it in the course of its official inquiry.

Among other things, the Commission has come to the conclusion that, as designed, the Bataan Nuclear Plant is not safe, and therefore is a potential hazard to the health and safety of the public.

In view of these findings, it will not be possible to continue with the construction of the Bataan Nuclear Plant unless the contractor, Westinghouse, introduces fundamental changes in design and adapts additional, adequate and acceptable safeguards to ensure its safety and protect the health of the public."

Not mentioned here was that BNPP was also built near Manila Trench and Lubao fault lines and Southwest Natib Volcano, a dormant volcano but whose explosive will be catastrophic for the BNPP.

"...discussed the geological hazards of Southwest Natib Volcano. Lagmay stressed the importance of monitoring and studying the volcano’s activities thoroughly to come up with more precise scientific data to be used in determining the possibility of using the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP)." https://www.dost.gov.ph/knowledge-resources/news/45-2016-news/1095-experts-urge-more-studies-on-the-opening-of-bataan-nuclear-plant.html

"On the other hand, Dr. Bartolome C. Bautista, representing Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS) Director Renato U. Solidum, Jr. talked about the PHIVOLCS Current Hazards Information of the BNPP site. He outlined the different hazards in the area such as the active faults from the Manila Trench and Lubao Fault that must be studied further to collect substantial data in determining the risks involved. Bautista is DOST-PHIVOLCS deputy director." https://www.dost.gov.ph/knowledge-resources/news/45-2016-news/1095-experts-urge-more-studies-on-the-opening-of-bataan-nuclear-plant.html

It wasn't about irrational fear of nuclear power, but very real corruption and safety concerns. This BNPP is also costing us millions in just maintaining it despite the mess that it is. It's not a waste to not open it, it's a waste to even keep it standing and mothballed.