Taguig city: The Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (PhilATOM) Act is the government's proof that the Philippines is firm on using nuclear energy to boost capacity, and is committed to doing this by complying with international standards, a Department of Energy (DOE) official said on Thursday.
According to Philippines News Agency, Patrick Aquino, Director IV of the DOE's Energy Utilization Management Bureau, emphasized that "PhilATOM is the clearest signal of this government that we're dead serious in getting nuclear for power generation, because that was one of the main findings even of the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency)." He shared these insights with journalists on the sidelines of the Philippine International Nuclear Supply Chain Forum 2025 in Taguig City on Thursday.
Republic Act 12305, which created the PhilATOM, was signed into law on September 18, 2025. The agency's officials have yet to be appointed, and its implementing rules and regulations (IRR) are yet to be formulated. However, Aquino mentioned that these two tasks can be accomplished simultaneously, with the latter requiring consultations among stakeholders.
Aquino clarified that the DOE will not participate in the consultations for the formulation of the law's IRR, as the agency will not be part of the regulatory body. Instead, it will support colleagues from the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, the Department of Science and Technology, the Department of Health (DOH), and the Food and Drug Administration. Both the DOH and FDA will be involved in consultations because PhilATOM will also oversee the regulation of medical machines that use radiation.
Meanwhile, studies are underway to evaluate approximately 15 sites, primarily in Luzon, for potential nuclear energy power plants. In addition to Bataan, where the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant is located, other sites under consideration include Pangasinan, Palawan, Camarines Norte, and Masbate. Aquino noted that most of these areas are in Luzon due to its significant electricity demand.
The DOE considers nuclear energy as one of the options to boost domestic sources, despite efforts to increase the share of renewable energy in the total mix to around 35 percent by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040 and beyond. "If we consider the mix, we need to have other sources, and DOE sees nuclear as a low-carbon option that we can include here," Aquino stated in Filipino.
Foreign investors have shown interest in investing in nuclear energy projects in the Philippines, Aquino added, but concerns about regulatory certainty remain. This is why PhilATOM was established, as the government would not attract nuclear industry sector players without implementing safe practices measures.
Aquino concluded by stating, "And now, even in the energy sector, we're very clear that we're investing in the Philippines and to make sure that we have a competitive energy supply. We have to start thinking and investing the seeds for the entry of nuclear in the medium and long term."
