Nuclear safety rules out early next year

MANILA, Philippines — The implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for the country’s nuclear safety law are expected to be released as early as February 2026, according to the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute.

PNRI director Carlo Arcilla said the IRR could be finalized within three months, putting its release window around February or March.

“We’re working on it because without the IRR, it would be difficult to appoint a director general and deputy directors general,” Arcilla said in an interview, highlighting their critical role in ensuring the safe deployment of nuclear energy.

In September, President Marcos signed into law the Philippine National Nuclear Energy Safety Act, which establishes the country’s first independent nuclear regulatory body.

PhilAtom, or the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority, is set to assume all regulatory tasks currently managed by the PNRI.

According to Arcilla, the IRR aims to ensure that PhilAtom operates independently – free from government or private sector pressure – focusing solely on nuclear safety.

“The main purpose of PhilAtom is safety, security and safeguards. That’s why it must be independent. It shouldn’t be concerned with prices – if it’s (project) safe, it should proceed,” he stressed.

As part of its mandate, Arcilla said, PhilAtom will act as the licensing authority, overseeing the approval and regulation of both the construction and operation of nuclear plants.

Arcilla noted that a budget of around P400 million, funded by the national government, is being considered to support the initial operation of PhilAtom.

Asked about potential sites for nuclear plants, the PNRI director said several locations across the country are under review. But he emphasized that reviving the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) remains the quickest way to achieve the government’s target.

Under the current roadmap, the government aims to have commercially available nuclear plants by 2032 with at least 1,200 megawatts in capacity.

“We need experts to check BNPP, and if it’s feasible, that’s a good project because it’s already there. But there are many considerations that we also have to check,” Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said in a chance interview.

These factors include community acceptance and the cost of refurbishing the BNPP, which was completed in 1984 but never commissioned due to safety and political issues.

Earlier, the Department of Energy signed an agreement with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. Ltd. to conduct a comprehensive technical and economic feasibility study on the potential rehabilitation of the BNPP.

The Philippines’ bold push to integrate nuclear power has earned global confidence, with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) noting no “shortcomings” in the country’s efforts.

“The country is evaluating different possibilities. That requires technical evaluation of different reactor designs, and we are helping in this area,” said IAEA director general Rafael Mariano Grossi, who visited the Philippines this week.