Nuclear Power: Gov’t Lays Legal And Technical Groundwork For Entry Into Nuclear Power
- January 29, 2026
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The Philippine government is accelerating preparations for a possible entry into nuclear power, with lawmakers and energy officials emphasizing that a strong legal framework, rigorous site selection, and public acceptance will be decisive in determining whether the country can meet its target of operating its first nuclear power plant by 2032.
At the center of the effort is Senate Bill No. 1206, or the proposed Philippine Nuclear Liability Act, which lawmakers describe as the final major legislative requirement needed to unlock serious private sector investment in nuclear energy. The bill is being deliberated by the Senate Committee on Science and Technology, chaired by Senator Bam Aquino.
Nuclear Liability Framework
Aquino said the proposed measure is intended to modernize the Philippines’ nuclear liability regime, which currently dates back to 1968. The bill seeks to align Philippine law with the Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage, an international framework that defines financial responsibility in the event of nuclear accidents.
“This bill will support industry players because it will provide a clearer regime in case of accidents, claims, and liabilities. This will encourage the industry to come in,” Aquino said during a committee hearing last week.
Under the proposal, private nuclear power operators would be held financially accountable for nuclear-related incidents, including accidents or meltdowns, even before a single megawatt of electricity is generated. The bill introduces a multi-tiered compensation system designed to ensure that funds are readily available for environmental rehabilitation and compensation for affected communities, with the aim of preventing taxpayers from shouldering the cost of any nuclear incident.
Aquino noted that the scope of the bill would extend beyond power generation, covering all uses of nuclear technology in the country even if nuclear plants are ultimately not built.
Lower Electricity Costs?
While a 2024 survey showed that nearly 70 percent of Filipinos support nuclear energy, Aquino cautioned that public backing remains fragile and largely dependent on expectations of lower electricity prices.
“For Filipino families, the primary concern is having a source of cheaper electricity,” he said, warning against complacency among policymakers and energy planners.
During the Senate hearing, energy officials pointed out that while uranium fuel could cost around $30 million, producing an equivalent amount of power using coal could cost nearly $800 million, a difference they said could translate into long-term savings for consumers.
Aquino stressed that beyond affordability, securing the full approval of local government units and stakeholders would be essential before any nuclear facility could be built. “For a nuclear plant to be built in an LGU, we need the full approval of all stakeholders,” he said, citing the critical nature of nuclear installations.
Potential Sites
At the same hearing, the Department of Energy (DOE) identified several areas that could potentially host nuclear power facilities, based on physical inspections and technical evaluations conducted under the Nuclear Energy Program–Inter-Agency Committee.
DOE Director IV Patrick Aquino said several locations in Bataan, including the site of the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP), remain technically suitable. Other areas under consideration include Labrador in Pangasinan, sites in Camarines Norte, Masbate, and parts of Palawan, particularly Puerto Princesa.
The DOE has said the Philippines aims to have at least 1,200 megawatts of nuclear capacity commercially operational by 2032, with plans to gradually scale this up to 4,800 megawatts by 2050.
According to the DOE, several power generation companies have already expressed interest in pursuing nuclear projects, although none have formally applied. “They are also waiting for some developments in relation to PhilATOM, this particular bill, as well as the results of some studies that have been conducted to move ahead with their plans,” Patrick Aquino said, adding that nuclear power is being viewed by investors as a low-carbon option that could support the country’s renewable energy goals.
Safety Considerations
Scientists and regulators have underscored that site selection will be governed by strict safety criteria. Dr. Carlo Arcilla, director of the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI), said geological and environmental risks rule out many areas.
“You cannot build a nuclear plant close to an active volcano, which means you cannot build a nuclear plant in Batangas because of Taal, and in Albay because of Mayon,” Arcilla said (“You cannot build a nuclear plant close to an active volcano, which means you cannot build a nuclear plant in Batangas because of Taal, and in Albay because of Mayon.”).
He added that plants cannot be located directly on active fault lines, and that flood-prone areas are also disqualified. Beyond technical factors, Arcilla said community acceptance is mandatory, noting that nuclear projects require an Environmental Compliance Certificate that includes public consultations.
Arcilla also said the fastest path to nuclear power would be to restart the BNPP, though he acknowledged that the facility has long been entangled in political controversy.
Regulations In Place
The push for a nuclear liability law follows the enactment of Republic Act No. 12305 in late 2025, which created the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority, or PhilATOM. The independent, quasi-judicial body is mandated to regulate the safe use of nuclear energy and radiation sources in the country.
Energy officials told lawmakers that with PhilATOM established, passage of the Nuclear Liability Act would complete the core legal framework needed to attract private investment, including interest from major Philippine firms such as Meralco and Aboitiz.
Source:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/amp/story/manila/aquino-pushes-nuclear-liability-bill
https://pia.gov.ph/press-release/over-70-of-filipinos-back-nuclear-energy-as-power-for-the-future
