The Senate on Monday, June 9, approved on third reading the Philippine National Nuclear Energy Safety Act (Senate Bill No. 2899), sponsored by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano.
The measure seeks to establish the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (PhilATOM), an independent body tasked with regulating the safe and secure use of nuclear energy and related technologies in the country.
During the period of amendments and its approval on second reading on June 4, Cayetano emphasized that the appointed members of PhilATOM will be free from political interference and will be guided by international best practices.
“Unless the official has at least seven years of actual and distinguished experience in the respective fields of nuclear, physical science, law, engineering, medical or allied medical sciences in the radiation field, they cannot be appointed,” Cayetano said.
He also highlighted the importance of separating the promotion of nuclear energy from its regulation.
This, he said, is why the bill proposes to transfer the regulatory function from the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) to the PhilATOM. “The regulatory body has to regulate. They shouldn’t promote,” he said. “That’s precisely why we are separating this bill from PNRI… may conflict kasi kung y’ung nagpo-promote, siya rin y’ung nagre-regulate.”
Cayetano also clarified that the bill does not determine whether or not the country will pursue nuclear power.
He said that’s a separate policy matter for future debate and the bill’s current goal is to establish a strong and credible regulatory framework. “If ever the Philippines will go into nuclear power plants, kailangan PhilATOM is so strong that no is no and yes is yes. The policy side , if we should go into [nuclear] or not, doon ko po hinihiwalay itong bill na ito,” he said.
On concerns about the possible environmental and climate impacts of nuclear facilities and how the government can protect ecologically critical areas, the senator said PhilATOM will only act on applications and will still rely on the recommendations of other relevant agencies such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
“The DENR will be part of the process, if there are laws and regulations protecting certain areas,” he said.
He also emphasized that communities must be consulted and their decisions respected when it comes to the location of nuclear power plants, should the country decide to pursue them.
“We shouldn’t insist on local government units who don’t want a nuclear power plant in their area. You need community support. It should be a community decision,” he said.
Cayetano also acknowledged the co-authors of the bill for helping him push the measure forward, including Senators Francis “Tol” Tolentino, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Win Gatchalian, Joel Villanueva, and Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero.
The bill is now set to undergo bicameral conference committee deliberations, where the Senate and House panels will reconcile their differing provisions.
