IAEA helps RP create nuclear regulatory body

MANILA, Philippines - An organization within the United Nations promoting "safe, secure and peaceful nuclear technologies" will assist the government in creating the country's nuclear regulatory body, the Energy department said. In a statement, Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes said the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will continue to assist the Philippines especially in human resource capability building in nuclear science and engineering after he met with its director general Mohamed ElBaradei. ElBaradei, he said, has expressed commitment to help the government in educating the public about nuclear energy. Reyes is attending the International Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Energy in the 21st Century in Beijing, China organized by IAEA. He heads the seven-man delegation including Pangasinan Rep. Mark Cojuangco, National Power Corp. president Frolian Tampinco, Philippine Nuclear Research Institute deputy director Corazon Bernido, Energy department task force on nuclear power program vice-chairman Salvador Salire, Jr., Napocor asset preservation manager Mauro Marcelo and Energy department technical assistant Emerlito Angulo. It can be recalled ElBaradei sent an expert mission in January 2008 upon the Energy department's request on the necessary infrastructure requirement if the government pursues a nuclear program and rehabilitate the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP), which is the country's first nuclear power facility. Having spent about $2.1 billion to construct the BNPP, the government is setting aside up to now some P40 million for its maintenance. It has yet to be decided if the government or the private sector will shoulder BNPP's rehabilitation estimated at more than $800 million. Under the Philippine Energy Plan 1998-2035, the Arroyo administration will promote capability building and enhancement on the various aspects of nuclear energy involving training of local manpower for the possible introduction of nuclear into the country's energy system. The total capacity from nuclear under energy plan is projected to reach 2,400 megawatts by the end of the planning period. -GMANews.TV