DOE Launches Nuclear Energy Training Series for Media in the Philippines

The Nuclear Energy Program Inter-Agency Committee (NEP-IAC)'s Subcommittee 4, led by the Department of Energy (DOE), organized the first round of its Nuclear 101 Training Series for local media practitioners from Palawan and Masbate from 23-26 June 2025.

The training began with a full-day session at Somerset Millennium in Makati City. It covered the history and basics of nuclear energy, presented by National Power Corporation Officer-in-Charge Vice President Atty. Manuel Luis Plofino; an overview of the Nuclear Energy Program (NEP) through a video presentation by NEP-IAC Technical Secretariat Head DOE Director Patrick T. Aquino; a draft NEP communication plan by the DOE Public Affairs Office team; criteria and standards in siting a nuclear power plant by Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology Associate Scientist Dr. Arturo S. Daag; and insights on nuclear safety, security, and safeguards by Philippine Nuclear Research Institute Senior Science Research Specialist Mary Gold Bulos.

In her opening remarks, DOE Nuclear Energy Division OIC Chief Shiela dela Cruz emphasized the importance of engaging with stakeholders to gather their feedback and address their concerns in the country's Nuclear Energy Program, following the IAEA's standards.

Atty. Plofino stressed the significance of understanding the facts and dispelling myths about nuclear energy to help stakeholders make informed decisions about the country's NEP, after detailed discussions on nuclear energy history and recent advancements.

Media participants had the chance to visit the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant in Morong, Bataan on 25 June 2025 to gain a better understanding of the processes involved in utilizing nuclear energy.

NEP-IAC established six subcommittees to tackle the 19 infrastructure issues identified by the IAEA, with Subcommittee 4 focusing on stakeholder involvement, human resource development, and industrial engagement.

Following the Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) conducted by the IAEA in December 2024, it was confirmed that nine out of 14 recommendations had been fully addressed, with the remaining five in progress.

Congress recently approved the Philippine National Nuclear Energy Safety Act, establishing the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (PhilATOM), marking a significant step towards the safe and peaceful development of nuclear energy in the Philippines.

According to the source: GMA Network.