DOE hails passage of nuclear safety law

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DOE) welcomed the enactment of a landmark measure establishing the country’s first independent nuclear regulatory body.

President Marcos signed Republic Act 12305 or the Philippine National Nuclear Energy Safety Act on Sept. 18, providing the legal and institutional groundwork for the safe and peaceful use of nuclear power.

The new law creates the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (PhilATOM), which is set to assume all regulatory tasks currently managed by the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute.

“The law modernizes nuclear regulation consistent with the latest International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) standards and global best practices,” Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said in a statement.

According to the DOE, PhilATOM is a vital step in ensuring that all aspects of nuclear energy development are rigorously and effectively regulated by a competent authority.

This bodes well for the Philippines’ ambitious target of harnessing at least 1,200 megawatts of nuclear power into the energy mix by 2032 and scaling this up to 4,800 MW by 2040.

The electricity generation from the nuclear plants will remain subject to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, with the DOE and the Energy Regulatory Commission maintaining their oversight roles.

Recently, the Philippines returned to the policy-making Board of Governors of the IAEA after being elected for the term 2025 to 2027, marking a comeback after eight years.

The seat opens opportunities for the Philippines to take an active role in shaping global nuclear energy policies and strengthening international cooperation.

With the election, the country is also expected to gain technical support in nuclear medicine, agriculture, food security and energy, while reinforcing its position as a responsible nuclear partner.

In an earlier interview, Garin said the DOE was planning to begin accepting nuclear project proposals next year to keep the country on track with its targets.