MANILA – Senator Alan Peter Cayetano has emphasized the persistent influence of misinformation on public perceptions regarding nuclear energy in the Philippines.
This call for action follows the recent Senate Committee on Science and Technology hearing held on February 12, 2024, focusing on the Philippine National Nuclear Energy Safety Act, over which Cayetano presides.
During the hearing, Dr. Carlo A. Arcilla of the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology (PNRI-DOST), was commended by Senator Cayetano for his efforts to educate the public on the potential benefits of nuclear energy across various sectors, including power generation, medicine, industry, and agriculture.
“Continue to educate us not only on the need for the regulatory framework but also for the future of atomic or nuclear energy in our country,” Cayetano said.
Acknowledging the prevalence of misinformation as a significant obstacle, both Cayetano and Arcilla stressed the importance of enhancing public understanding to facilitate the acceptance of nuclear energy.
“Ang problema po talaga ng [pagsulong sa] nuclear energy ay y’ung fake news… ‘pag sinabi kasing nuclear ang iniisip agad [ng mga tao] ay bomba,” Arcilla said.
(The real problem with the advancement of nuclear energy is the proliferation of fake news… because when people hear the word “nuclear,” they immediately think of a bomb.)
The proposed Philippine Nuclear Regulation Act aims to establish the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (PhilATOM), an independent body responsible for licensing facilities using radioactive materials and ensuring the safe and secure utilization of nuclear energy in the country.
Senator Cayetano clarified that PhilATOM’s role is regulatory, aimed at assessing the safety of nuclear power use without promoting or discouraging its adoption.
“We’re not saying that we’re promoting or not promoting nuclear energy. What we’re saying is [we are] putting a regulatory body which can assess the safety of the use of nuclear power in the country,” the Senator said.
During the hearing, it was emphasized that PhilATOM’s focus is regulatory, while research responsibilities remain under PNRI-DOST.
Senator Cayetano highlighted the urgency of expediting the bill’s deliberation on the Senate floor to leverage the potential benefits of nuclear energy.
“I’ll really try to get it on the floor ASAP,” pledged Senator Cayetano, emphasizing the need to separate discussions to prevent delays in establishing PhilATOM.
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