House OKs Nuclear Regulation Act

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives has approved on second reading House Bill 8733 or the Comprehensive Nuclear Regulation Act, which seeks to establish a comprehensive nuclear regulatory framework and create the Philippine Nuclear Regulatory Commission (PNRC).

Under HB 8733, the PNRC will be a single, independent nuclear regulatory body to focus on the control of peaceful uses and application of nuclear energy.

The country is embarking on a renewed effort to strengthen science and technology and boost industrial growth, Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, the bill’s principal author, said. 

To be attached to the Department of Science and Technology, PNRC will be tasked to harmonize the country’s nuclear regulatory structure with other countries especially in the Asia-Pacific region such as Australia, China, Japan, Singapore and South Korea.

The measure aims to harness the peaceful and beneficial uses of nuclear energy in agriculture, health and medicine, energy production, scientific research, industry, and education; recognize the potentially harmful effects of ionizing radiation; protect society and the environment; establish a legal and regulatory framework for the regulation and control of the peaceful uses of nuclear resources; manage radioactive waste; and establish a legal and regulatory framework to prevent, detect and respond to unauthorized activities involving nuclear materials.

PNRC, as an autonomous regulatory body, shall exercise authority over all aspects of safety, security and safeguards involving nuclear and other radioactive materials, facilities and radiation generating equipment.

HB 8733, he added, also aims to establish and maintain a regulatory system for “the formulation and adoption of rules and guidelines on the use of ionizing radiation that shall specify the principles, requirements, and associated criteria for safety and security upon which the regulatory, judgments, decisions, and actions shall be based.”