The Department of Energy said it welcomes President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s signing of a new law establishing the country’s first independent nuclear regulatory body.
Republic Act No. 12305, also known as the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (PhilATOM) Act, creates a new agency to oversee the safe and peaceful use of nuclear energy and radiation sources.
Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said in a statement the law “strengthens the regulatory framework” for nuclear energy and is consistent with the latest International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) standards.
The new agency, PhilATOM, will be the sole regulator for nuclear energy infrastructure, including site selection, construction, licensing and safety.
The DOE said electricity generation from nuclear energy would still be subject to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) and overseen by the DOE and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).
The Philippines was also recently elected to the IAEA Board of Governors for the 2025-2027 term. “The Philippines’ election to the IAEA Board of Governors fortifies its role in shaping global policies on nuclear safety, security, and the peaceful use of atomic energy,” Garin said.
