With the goal of learning about Singapore’s experience and capabilities in nuclear technology.
On Saturday, October 10, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited the Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Institute (SNRSI), ehere he was briefed by CEO Low Xin Wei on the island city-state’s nuclear research that was established in 2014.
The institute is part of the National University of Singapore, which aims to concentrate expertise and knowledge in nuclear technology and safety in a single institute.
According to the Malacañan Palace, the body of President Marcos is aligned with his administration’s openness to utilizing nuclear energy amid the continuous rise in electricity prices and changing climate patterns
The Chief Executive’s goal, he said, is to also boost supply and lower the electricity costs paid by the citizens.
He also acknowledged that public’s perception of nuclear power has changed in the past few years, especially regarding safety issues.
Public acceptance of nuclear energy has also increased, with Social Weather Stations surveys showing approval rising from 79 percent in 2019 to 82 percent in 2024.
The President also said the Philippines has a pool of professionals ready to work in the nuclear field, especially with the country having tried to operate a nuclear power plant in the 1980s through the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, which was mothballed after the Chernobyl incident in Russia in 1986.
MEASURES BEING PLACED
During his 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA), the Chief Executive called for the nuclear energy program to be revisited in order to lower electricity prices, which is found to be the highest among Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), even going above the prices of Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand.
President Marcos noted that the Philippines is already in the first two phases of nuclear adoption preparations.
Last August, the Department of Energy (DOE), reported that the country is strengthening the foundations for the next stage of its nuclear energy program.
DOE Undersecretary Giovanni Carlo Bacordo said the government is systematically addressing the infrastructure requirements under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Milestones Approach as the country advances its preparations toward Phase 2.
Under the IAEA Milestones Approach, Phase 1 covers the considerations necessary before a country makes a knowledgeable commitment to a nuclear power program, while Phase 2 focuses on developing the infrastructure necessary to invite bids or negotiate a contract for a nuclear power project.
Among the foundations established by the Philippines are the government’s national position on nuclear energy through Executive Orders Nos. 116 and 164.
The country also strengthened international cooperation through the 123 Agreement with the United States and the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant feasibility study with South Korea, while simultaneously implementing the recommendations under the IAEA Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR).
During its December 2024 follow-up INIR Mission conducted in Manila, the IAEA concluded that the Philippines had made significant progress in addressing the recommendations and suggestions from the 2018 mission.
The country has fully addressed 9 of 14 recommendations and 10 of 13 suggestions, the DOE divulged.
The government also stepped-up engagement with the nuclear industry and potential investors through initiatives such as the Philippine International Nuclear Supply Chain Forum, having strengthened links with technology providers, developers, financiers, and other participants in the global nuclear supply chain.
Thus, as part of its Phase 2 preparations, the government is studying potential funding and financing pathways, including public-private partnerships, consortium arrangements, build-own-operate models, and vendor-supported mechanisms.
Regarding legal and regulatory hurdles, the Republic Act No. 12305 has already set the grounds for the establishment of the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (PhilATOM).
Meanwhile, the DOE is also pursuing measures to streamline nuclear power plant licensing and establish the policy framework for a pioneer nuclear power project.
