The Department of Energy said it is open to regional cooperation with ASEAN countries to further advance the country’s nuclear energy agenda.
“Ultimately, we would like to see, if the rest of the ASEAN region is also looking into the potential of nuclear energy, that there will be some kind of regional approach, not only in terms of emergency response, but also in the training of human resources that will be needed,” Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said in a recent interview with Bloomberg TV.
Lotilla said the Philippines is not limiting itself to partnerships with US companies after signing the 123 agreement on nuclear cooperation with the United States, which entered into force in July 2023.
“Well, we have already signed the 123 Agreement with the United States, and that has allowed us to exchange information and technologies with the United States. So, since the private sector is the one that drives the development of power in the country, that has enabled our private sector to now directly get in touch with American companies and discuss the possibilities,” Lotilla said.
“We have been exploring also with other countries such as Japan, which has been providing us with technical expertise. We just came from the United Arab Emirates and the cooperation, the memorandum of understanding that we signed with the UAE includes cooperation in the energy sector there. Then in the case of Korea, we also have agreements for them to help us out in this space,” he said.
The Philippines received an encouraging assessment from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on its nuclear power program following the conclusion of the Follow-Up Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) Mission to the Philippines from Dec. 2 to 6 in Manila.
Lotilla said the IAEA’s recognition of the country’s progress in addressing most of the recommendations and suggestions from the initial 2018 INIR Mission reflects the Philippine government’s steadfast commitment to developing a robust nuclear power program.
The follow-up INIR mission team noted that the Philippines has made significant progress to address most of the recommendations and suggestions and has adopted a national position for a nuclear energy program.
“We have made considerable advancements, including adopting a clear national position on nuclear energy through a presidential executive order, drafting a comprehensive nuclear law, and strengthening our capacities in human resource development, regulatory frameworks, radiation protection, radioactive waste management, and emergency preparedness and response,” Lotilla said over the weekend.
The mission noted that the Philippines drafted and advanced a comprehensive nuclear law toward enactment; completed assessments in human resource development, regulatory framework, radiation protection, radioactive waste management, and emergency preparedness and response; and drafted policies and strategies in the relevant areas.
INIR missions are based on the IAEA milestones approach, with its 19 infrastructure issues, three phases (consider, prepare and construct) and three milestones (decide, contract and commission/operate). The INIR team considers the comments made by the relevant national organizations in developing its recommendations.
The results of the INIR mission are expected to help the member state develop an action plan to fill any gaps, which in turn will help the development of the national nuclear infrastructure.