Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo discussed these plans during his meeting with visiting Director General Yukiya Amano of the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of the United Nations, which is currently implementing technical cooperation projects in various nuclear applications in the country.
In May, the Philippines played a critical role in pushing for the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, nonproliferation as well as disarmament during its presidency of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference at the UN headquarters in New York.
During his visit from December 8 to 11, Amano visited the controversial Bataan Nuclear Power Plant that the UN agency is eyeing for possible assistance should it be rehabilitated.
Romulo said in addition to science and technology area, the Philippines benefits from the IAEA’s safety and security pillar through the “review and assessment of the possible rehabilitation of the plant. The Agency can also assist the Philippines if and when the government decides to include nuclear power generation in its present energy mix.”
Amano also met with Science Secretary Mario Montejo and Energy Secretary Rene Almendras and they discussed the agency’s programs in providing training to Philippine scientists as well as providing additional equipment and technical assistance in the implementation of projects in the nuclear field.
Meanwhile, Health Undersecretary Mario Villaverde told the IAEA chief, who visited the Jose Fabella Reyes Medical Center to inspect its radiotherapy facilities, of the government plan to expand its current cooperation with the IAEA in the area of cancer radiotherapy through regular training on cancer research and treatment for Philippine health professionals.
The Philippines has been identified by the IAEA as an excellent pilot member-state for the peaceful use of nuclear energy projects.
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