PHL regulations seen ready for safe operation of nuclear plants 

THE regulatory preparations for a safe nuclear power transition are all in place, according to the legislator who chairs the House special committee on nuclear energy.

“There is no need to amend any existing framework to adopt nuclear energy. It’s all there, we have established all the laws and regulations,” Pangasinan Rep. Mark O. Cojuangco told ����ý on Friday.

He said regulation of the industry dates back to 1958 with the passage of the Philippine Science Act.

Mr. Cojuangco said the next step is for lawmakers to legislate the creation of the Philippine Atomic Regulatory Authority, as required by the International Atomic Energy Agency.  

Mr. Cojuangco said at the moment, the Philippines has no independent regulator for nuclear power.

“We need to totally separate the (regulatory) functions of Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI),” he said.

Mr. Cojuangco said the latest offer to rehabilitate the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant was put forward by South Korea in 2017 at a cost of $1.19 billion. 

“As of now the conversation is on and off, but hoping that we can fine-tune (the plan) soon,” he said. — Ashley Erika O. Jose