Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang said the Marcos administration will ensure any move to develop nuclear energy in the Philippines complies with international safety standards as it pursues the country’s long-term energy security goals.
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the government recognizes public concerns over nuclear power but stressed that safety remains a prerequisite for any project.
“Hindi po ito isusulong ng gobyerno kung hindi rin lamang po ito pasado sa international standards pagdating po sa safety,” she said on Wednesday, July 29.
[Translation: The government will not pursue this if it does not meet international safety standards.]
Castro said the administration will work closely with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to ensure that any nuclear energy program complies with global safety requirements.
“At alam po natin na tayo po ay mayroon ding mga standards na sinusunod at ito po ay kasama ang IAEA.”
[Translation: We have standards that we follow, and these include those of the IAEA.]
In his SONA, Marcos said the government would continue pursuing nuclear energy as part of its strategy to diversify the country’s power sources, lower electricity costs and strengthen long-term energy security.
The administration has been working with international partners, including France and the United States, on civil nuclear energy cooperation while preparing the country’s regulatory and technical framework for possible nuclear power generation.
