Senator Win Gatchalian has filed a bill seeking comprehensive nuclear energy regulation to ensure the safety and security of its potential use in the country.
Specifically, Senate Bill 2506, seeks to establish a national legal framework for the safe and peaceful use of nuclear energy and ionizing radiation.
“If enacted into law, the bill would help ensure safety in the potential use of nuclear energy in the country,” Gatchalian said. The filing of the bill follows the signing of the governments of the Philippines and the United States of an agreement on nuclear energy during the sidelines of the recently concluded Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
Specifically, Gatchalian’s proposed measure calls for the establishment of an independent and transparent central nuclear regulatory body through the creation of the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Commission (PAERC). As envisioned, PAERC shall have the sole and exclusive regulatory authority over all aspects of licensing, protection, safety, and safeguards of relevant activities, facilities, and materials.
“The primordial concern taken in crafting this piece of legislation is to ensure that there is a structured legal framework to meet evolving requirements to ensure the safety, security, and quality of persons, property, and the environment,” he emphasized. Also, the bill, if enacted into law, would ensure that all activities are conducted within a system of authorization, continuous monitoring, and enforcement.
“By establishing a comprehensive legal framework in the Philippines with strong transparency and governance provisions, we ensure that the complex risks accompanying activities involving nuclear energy and ionizing energy are addressed and public trust and cooperation are built,” Gatchalian said.
The senator has emphasized that any potential use of nuclear energy in the country is something that most Filipinos are not familiar with and thus the need to develop confidence in the technology.
“Mahalaga na magkaroon tayo ng naaayong batas na mamamahala sa paggamit ng nuclear energy sa bansa. Hindi magiging madali na umpisahan ang paggamit ng teknolohiya na ito kaya dapat na masiguro na ligtas ang bawat hakbang na gagawin natin,” Gatchalian added.
The government previously adopted a national position and officially relaunched its initiative to include nuclear power into the country’s energy mix. This move is part of the effort to ensure an adequate energy supply and transition towards cleaner energy sources.
