The Department of Energy (DOE) expressed its profound appreciation to the Senate and the House of Representatives for the ratification of the Bicameral Conference Committee Report on Senate Bill No. 2899 and House Bill No. 9293, or the Philippine National Nuclear Energy Safety Act, which establishes the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (PhilATOM), calling it a critical milestone toward the safe, secure, and peaceful development of nuclear energy in the country.
“After two decades of advocacy and deliberation, the passage of the PhilATOM bill marks a historic turning point for the Philippines. We will now have the necessary legal and institutional foundations to guide the development of nuclear energy infrastructure with oversight for the highest standards of safety and security. This is a critical step forward in strengthening our long-term energy security while ensuring that every action we take is anchored on responsibility, transparency, and public trust,” Undersecretary Sharon S. Garin said.
Undersecretary Garin oversees the Nuclear Energy Program – Inter-Agency Committee (NEP-IAC), which leads the formulation of the country’s nuclear energy roadmap and coordinates efforts to address the 19 infrastructure issues identified by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), including the establishment of a legal and regulatory framework.
She emphasized that the creation of PhilATOM is essential in ensuring that all aspects of nuclear energy infrastructure, such as siting, construction, licensing, safety, and eventual operation, are effectively and comprehensively regulated by an independent and competent authority.
However, Undersecretary Garin clarified that the establishment of PhilATOM does not signal the immediate construction of a nuclear power plant. She stressed that any country pursuing nuclear energy must undergo a rigorous, step-by-step process and comply fully with the IAEA’s stringent requirements for nuclear infrastructure development. Under the Philippine Energy Plan, the country targets to build its nuclear power plant by 2032.
In December 2024, the IAEA completed its follow-up Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) Mission in the Philippines. The Mission affirmed that the country is making steady progress in developing the necessary infrastructure to support a nuclear energy program. Among the key advancements were the adoption of a clear national policy on nuclear energy through a Presidential Executive Order, the drafting, and now ratification, of a comprehensive nuclear law via the PhilATOM bill, and strengthened capacities in human resource development, regulatory frameworks, radiation protection, radioactive waste management, and emergency preparedness and response.
The Philippine National Nuclear Energy Safety Act was approved on third and final reading by the Senate on 09 June 2025. The House of Representatives earlier approved its counterpart measure in November 2023.
Once enacted into law, PhilATOM will serve as the country’s sole and independent regulator for the peaceful, safe, and secure uses of nuclear energy and radiation sources. It will also act as the official national point of contact in the event of nuclear or radiological emergencies, in line with international conventions and agreements to which the Philippines is a party. Meanwhile, the generation of electricity from nuclear energy will remain governed by the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) and subject to the regulatory oversight of the DOE and the Energy Regulatory Commission.
Beyond energy generation, the measure will also enable the peaceful applications of atomic energy across various sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, industry, scientific research, and education, unlocking a wide range of benefits for national development.
Undersecretary Garin expressed optimism about the country’s path toward a “nuclear renaissance,” underscoring the government’s proactive efforts to build public understanding and support. Through continuous studies, multi-stakeholder consultations, and education campaigns, the NEP-IAC is working to ensure that the development of nuclear energy infrastructure is inclusive, transparent, and grounded on public trust.
"Ultimately, our pursuit of nuclear energy is guided by the vision of securing a safe, clean, and reliable power source for future generations," she said. ###