Senator Alan Peter Cayetano is set to further review on Monday the proposed Philippine Nuclear Regulation Act which aims to establish a regulatory framework for the usage of radioactive materials in various industries across the Philippines.
This comes after an initial Senate hearing held on December 2, 2023 where Cayetano, chair of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology, emphasized that the bill is focused on regulation, not on establishing a new nuclear power plant.
"Doon sa mga may agam-agam, may doubt sa nuclear power plant, nuclear energy: this bill is not to put up one (nuclear power plant). It's precisely to have the institution and the right people to be able to assess [the use of nuclear energy]," he said.
The Senate hearing on Monday holds critical sway over the Philippines' nuclear future. It tackles key issues such as safe radioactive use, public safety, and building trust in the technology, among others.
The proposed Philippine Nuclear Regulation Act is part of a broader legislative effort that includes House Bill No. 9293, known as the "Philippine National Nuclear Energy Safety Act," which proposes creating the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (PhilATOM).
This independent body aims to license facilities using radioactive materials, including hospitals with radiology services and ensure safe and secure utilization of nuclear energy in the country.
Cayetano earlier expressed his support for DOST-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) Director Vallerie Ann Samson who had stressed that nuclear energy is not only used for power generation but also for agriculture, medicine, and other industries.
“I’m happy that we’re tackling this early in the administration kasi kung mid-term na o pahuli na, maipasa man ito, y’ung implementation [sa susunod na administration pa],” he said.
As the Senate hearing approaches, stakeholders and experts are expected to provide further insights into the proposed legislation and its potential implications for the Philippines' energy landscape, environment, economy, and public health.
Last year, apart from the experts who participated in the initial Senate hearing, many other guests from other sectors also attended to learn more about the proposed law. Among them was Barangay Captain Eriberto “Bobot” Ibarra of Palatiw, Pasig City who urged the public to be informed about the agenda.
“Hindi sila dapat matakot kasi nga ito ay araw-araw halos nang ginagamit sa ospital. Hindi lang tayo aware kung ano itong mga ito. [Kaya] maglalagay sila ng nuclear department para magkaroon tayo ng awareness at magkaroon tayo ng safety doon sa mga ginagamit na kemikal,” he said.###
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