In cooperation with the Philippines Department of Energy (DOE), the IAEA organised a legislative assistance mission to discuss national legislation and relevant international legal instruments on nuclear safety, security and civil liability for nuclear damage, from 25 to 28 November 2019.
The mission included a Combined Committee Meeting of the House of Representatives for the Establishment of National Legislative Framework for Nuclear Energy. “This is an important mission for us, since we have now agreed to have a joint committee hearing among the Committees on Energy, Science and Technology, and Appropriations to address issues related to the approval of nuclear legislation in the lower house,” said Gerald Abaya, Congressman and Co-chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology. Abaya was accompanied by Congressman Ron P. Salo, who co-authored the House Bill, and representatives of the House Committees of Reorganization and Energy.
The mission also included a national workshop on the legal framework for the safe, secure and peaceful uses of nuclear technology. During the workshop, Gerardo Erguiza Jr., Assistant Secretary and Acting Chairman of the Nuclear Energy Program Implementing Organization (NEPIO), provided the status of the DOE initiatives related to a nuclear power programme.
"This mission helps us to further consider the recommendations and suggestions on the legal framework made during the December 2018 INIR mission and the finalisation of the Integrated Work Plan (IWP) with the Agency,” Erguiza said. “Following an approach related to policy, legal and regulatory framework, international standards and public acceptability, we are working to ensure that an adequate and comprehensive law will be in place and that the Philippines becomes party to the relevant instruments in due course. "
Since 2009, the Philippines has received support from the IAEA legislative assistance programme, and representatives of the Philippines visited the IAEA in Vienna in 2018 and 2017.
This mission helps us to further consider the recommendations and suggestions on the legal framework made during the December 2018 INIR mission and the finalisation of the Integrated Work Plan (IWP) with the Agency.
