THE Philippines is conducting an extensive review of its laws, regulations and policies to prepare for the integration of nuclear energy into the national power supply mix, the Department of Energy (DOE) said.
The Nuclear Energy Program-Inter-Agency Committee (NEP-IAC) is leading this effort to establish a comprehensive legal framework for the safe and sustainable use of modern nuclear technology.
Myra Fiera Roa, Director of Legal Services at the DOE, said on Thursday the review will identify “support, constraints, and gaps” that need to be addressed.
This process is crucial to ensure that all legal hurdles are cleared before major steps are taken to fulfill the country’s nuclear power objectives, it said.
The review’s findings will be used to propose the enactment or amendment of relevant laws.
Regulatory, infrastructure developments
This legal review follows significant developments in the country’s nuclear energy framework. In June, the Philippine National Nuclear Energy Safety Act was ratified by both houses of Congress.
This act establishes the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (PhilATOM), an independent body responsible for regulating all aspects of nuclear energy infrastructure, including siting, construction, licensing, and safety. This is a key step towards compliance with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) requirements.
In December 2024, an IAEA mission verified the Philippines’ progress in developing the necessary infrastructure for a nuclear power program.
The IAEA confirmed that some of its 2018 recommendations have been fully addressed, but others still need to be met. The IAEA specifically advised the Philippines to complete its legal analysis and plan for the enactment or amendment of laws as needed.
Energy Secretary Sharon Garin has assured compliance with all IAEA requirements.
