PNRI pushes for nuclear liability bill

THE Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) is pushing for the passage of a bill that will establish civil liability and compensation to those affected by nuclear damage.

“No private company can survive a nuclear accident. But with this (bill) they will have some hope, at least some assurance, that they will be covered in case an accident happened,” PNRI Director Carlo A. Arcilla told a Senate hearing on Thursday.

Senate Bill No. 1209, the Philippine Nuclear Liability bill, establishes rules for responsibility and compensation in case of nuclear incidents.

The proposed measure ensures nuclear operators are strictly and exclusively liable for nuclear damage, setting clear liability limits.

The bill also provides a multi-tiered compensation system, including access to international public funds, and establishes a dedicated mechanism for handling claims.

 “Accidents are very rare, in fact nuclear is the safest energy source. If you total the operating number of hours divided by the number of deaths, the lowest is in nuclear energy,” Mr. Arcilla added.

He said that the government is close to fulfilling major institutional conditions for nuclear power advancement, notably the creation of an autonomous nuclear regulator.

“From our perspective, number one the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (PhilAtom) has to be established and we’re close to that, we are writing the implementing rules and regulations now,” Mr. Arcilla said.

PhilAtom is the country’s nuclear energy regulator mandated to oversee the safe, secure, and peaceful use of nuclear energy and radiation sources, it was formalized under Republic Act No. 12305, the Philippine National Nuclear Energy Safety Act.

The Philippine government plans to have a commercial nuclear power facility by 2032, targeting a power output of 1,200 megawatts (MW), scaling to 4,800 MW by 2050. — Adrian H. Halili