Manila: The Department of Energy (DOE) announced Tuesday that the National Nuclear and Radiological Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (RADPLAN) has undergone a comprehensive review and refinement. This update comes as the government explores incorporating nuclear sources into its power generation mix.

According to Philippines News Agency, the DOE, in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, spearheaded two writeshops attended by 70 participants from 23 member agencies of the Nuclear Energy Program Inter-Agency Committee (NEP-IAC). These sessions focused on reviewing and refining the RADPLAN to ensure effective coordination, preparedness strategies, and operational guidelines in the event of a nuclear-related disaster.

“This plan strengthens the country’s emergency response readiness, reducing risks from both internal and external nuclear and radiological hazards,” remarked DOE Director Nenito Jariel Jr., who heads the NEP-IAC Subcommittee on Emergency Planning. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council will evaluate the RADPLAN to ensure its alignment with national disaster risk reduction policies.

In parallel, the NEP-IAC is working on the Nuclear Energy Program Roadmap, which aims to satisfy the 19 infrastructure requirements set by the International Atomic Energy Agency. This includes reviewing nuclear safety, security, and safeguards compliance to finalize protocols and regulations before initiating the construction of the country’s first nuclear power plant.

The Marcos administration is targeting the operation of the Philippines’ first commercial nuclear power plant by 2032, with a projected output of 1,200 megawatts of cleaner energy to meet the nation’s growing power demand.