The Department of Energy (DOE), through the Nuclear Energy Program Inter-Agency Committee (NEP-IAC), led a three-day tabletop exercise on July 8, 2025. This was aimed at strengthening the Philippines’ capability to respond to nuclear or radiological emergencies.

The simulation tested inter-agency coordination, emergency response strategies, and the use of JRODOS, which is a Java-based real-time decision support system used for radiological consequence assessment and the planning of protective actions.

Supported by the ASEANTOM Project and the European Commission, the exercise gathered key government agencies to analyze hypothetical emergency scenarios, clarify roles and responsibilities, as well as validate existing protocols. Unlike field drills, tabletop exercises are discussion-based and allow for focused strategy testing in a controlled environment.

International nuclear safety expert Bojan Tomic of ENCO Consulting, a firm founded by former officers of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), joined the activity to share insights from his regulatory and nuclear safety experience.

In his opening remarks, DOE Undersecretary Giovanni Carlo J. Bacordo stressed the broader value of the event. “Let this event be a venue not only for testing our systems and protocols, but also for strengthening our collaboration, building trust, and reinforcing our shared commitment to nuclear and radiological emergency preparedness,” he stated.

The initiative aligns with IAEA safety standards, which specifically recommend that countries regularly conduct functional and full-scale drills to ensure readiness for nuclear incidents.

At the same time, the Forum for Nuclear Cooperation in Asia (FNCA) held a workshop on radiation safety and waste management from July 8 to 10, which was also co-hosted by the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) and Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). The workshop promoted regional collaboration and best practices in nuclear safety and capacity building.

The NEP-IAC was established under Executive Orders No. 116 and 164 to guide the safe, secure, and peaceful use of nuclear energy within the country. Its efforts support the broader goals of the Philippine Nuclear Energy Program, including energy security and climate resilience.

These developments are further backed by the recent ratification of the Philippine National Nuclear Energy Safety Act, which paves the way for the creation of the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (PhilATOM).

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