In a strategic move to build public awareness and informed engagement on the country’s potential entry into nuclear power, the Department of Energy (DOE), through the Nuclear Energy Program Inter-Agency Committee (NEP-IAC), has launched its Nuclear 101 Training Series. The first of these sessions was held from June 23 to 26, 2025.

The training was led by Subcommittee 4 of the NEP-IAC, which is tasked with stakeholder engagement, human resource development, and industrial involvement. It brought together various media practitioners from Palawan and Masbate to take part in lectures and a visit to the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.

The series began with a full-day information session in Makati City. These featured key discussions on nuclear energy fundamentals. It also included the history of nuclear power, program developments, communication strategies, siting requirements, and safety protocols. Among the resource persons were: Atty. Manuel Luis Plofino, OIC Vice President of the National Power Corporation, DOE Director Patrick T. Aquino, NEP-IAC Technical Secretariat Head (via video), Dr. Arturo S. Daag, Associate Scientist at PHIVOLCS, Mary Gold Bulos, Senior Science Research Specialist at PNRI, and members of the DOE Public Affairs Office team.

In her opening remarks, DOE Nuclear Energy Division OIC Chief Shiela dela Cruz emphasized the importance of transparency and public participation in nuclear discussions. She directly cited adherence to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) standards.

Atty. Plofino affirmed the need to “know the facts and dispel the myths” surrounding nuclear energy, stressing the importance of informed dialogue among stakeholders.

The training also included a visit to the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant in Morong, giving participants firsthand insights into nuclear infrastructure and operations.

The NEP-IAC was formed under Executive Order 116 and organized into six subcommittees to address 19 key infrastructure issues outlined by the IAEA. A follow-up Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) by the IAEA in December 2024 showed that 9 out of 14 earlier recommendations from the 2018 review have been addressed, with the remaining 5 still in progress.

In other developments, Congress has recently ratified the bicameral report on the Philippine National Nuclear Energy Safety Act, establishing the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (PhilATOM). The measure is seen as a significant milestone toward the safe and secure development of nuclear energy in the country.

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