President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has signed into law a landmark measure establishing the country’s first independent nuclear regulatory body and legal framework to govern the safe and peaceful use of nuclear energy.
Republic Act No. 12305, or the Philippine National Nuclear Energy Safety Act, establishes the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (PhilATOM), a quasi-judicial agency responsible for regulating all nuclear- and radiation-related activities nationwide.
The law underscores the government’s commitment to harnessing nuclear science and technology for national development while upholding “the highest standards of safety, security, and accountability.”
PhilATOM will have exclusive jurisdiction over the regulation of nuclear activities, including the issuance of licenses and enforcement of safety standards. The agency will also ensure compliance with international obligations, such as those under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The law empowers PhilATOM to oversee the transport, storage, and disposal of radioactive materials and mandates coordination with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) for nuclear emergency preparedness and response.
RA 12305 establishes stringent safeguards for the handling, storage, transportation, and disposal of nuclear and radioactive materials.
All nuclear-related activities will require comprehensive authorization, with violations carrying heavy penalties of up to P100 million in fines and imprisonment.
Unauthorized actions, including the construction or operation of nuclear facilities, the use or disposal of radioactive materials, testing of radiation generators, and radioactive waste management, are prohibited under the new law.
The enactment of RA 12305 comes as the Philippines explores nuclear energy as part of its long-term energy mix, seen as a potential solution to rising power demand and the country’s transition toward cleaner, more sustainable energy sources.
