Photo credit: DOE

The Philippines has advanced its nuclear energy development agenda with a writeshop that finalized the action plans for the National Policy and Strategy on Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection and began drafting the action plans for the proposed National Policy and Strategy on Nuclear Security.

Held from October 13 to 17 in Clark, the whole-of-government activity brought together key agencies under the Nuclear Energy Program–Inter-Agency Committee (NEP-IAC) to refine and align policies with national priorities and international standards.

Philippine Nuclear Research Institute Division Chief Neil Raymund D. Guillermo underscored the importance of actionable strategies, saying, “This is a chance to share ideas, align our efforts, and make sure our strategies are not just well-written but doable, measurable and impactful.”

Department of Energy (DOE) Director and NEP-IAC Technical Secretariat Head Patrick T. Aquino, in a recorded message, emphasized that “these policies are not mere documents—they are strategic instruments that embody our nation’s resolve to uphold the highest standards of safety, security, and sustainability in the peaceful uses of nuclear technology.” He added that the writeshop aimed to turn policy goals into “concrete, measurable and time-bound actions.”

The session built on previous workshops conducted in September 2024 and April 2025, focusing on the development of nuclear safety and security infrastructure. Participants identified specific activities, success indicators, implementation timelines, lead agencies, and estimated budgets to support each strategy.

Director Aquino said the enactment of Republic Act No. 12305, or the PhilAtom Law, heightened the urgency for a clear roadmap for nuclear energy development. “Our efforts will therefore serve as a critical complement to this legislative milestone, aligning policy and strategy with the evolving nuclear governance landscape,” he said.

Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin earlier described the PhilAtom Law as a modernization of the country’s nuclear regulation framework, in line with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) standards and global best practices.

The NEP-IAC, composed of 24 member-agencies, oversees the coordination of work on 19 nuclear infrastructure issues identified by the IAEA through six specialized subcommittees.

Under the Philippine Energy Plan 2023–2050, the country targets at least 4,800 megawatts of nuclear capacity by mid-century.

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