The Department of Energy (DOE) on Friday lauded the ratification of a bill establishing a national nuclear energy safety authority, a critical step towards developing nuclear power in the country.
It commended the Senate and the House of Representatives for ratifying the Bicameral Conference Committee Report on Senate Bill No. 2899 and House Bill No. 9293, or the Philippine National Nuclear Energy Safety Act. The proposed bill aims to establish the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (PhilATOM).
“After two decades of advocacy and deliberation, the passage of the PhilATOM bill marks a historic turning point for the Philippines,” DOE Undersecretary Sharon Garin said in a statement.
“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,” said Garin.
Garin, who oversees the Nuclear Energy Program—Inter-Agency Committee (NEP-IAC), noted that PhilATOM’s creation is essential for regulating all aspects of nuclear energy infrastructure, including siting, construction, licensing, safety, and eventual operation.
Garin cautioned that the establishment of PhilATOM does not signal the immediate construction of a nuclear power plant. She said that any country pursuing nuclear energy should undergo a rigorous, step-by-step process and comply fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) stringent requirements for nuclear infrastructure development.
Under the Philippine Energy Plan, the country aims to build its first nuclear power plant by 2032.
In December 2024, the IAEA completed its follow-up Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) Mission in the Philippines, affirming the country’s steady progress in developing the necessary infrastructure.
Key advancements included adopting a clear national policy on nuclear energy through a presidential executive order, drafting and ratifying a comprehensive nuclear law via the PhilATOM bill, and strengthening 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 June 9, 2025. The House of Representatives 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, aligning with international conventions and agreements to which the Philippines is a party.
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.
The new law will also enable the peaceful applications of atomic energy across various sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, industry, scientific research and education.
Garin expressed optimism about the country’s path toward a “nuclear renaissance,” highlighting the government’s proactive efforts to build public understanding and support.
