The Department of Energy (DOE), through the Nuclear Energy Program Inter-Agency Committee (NEP-IAC), conducted a national tabletop exercise on 08 July 2025 to assess and enhance the coordination and readiness of various government agencies in responding to a nuclear or radiological emergency. The three-day inter-agency activity forms part of the continuing efforts to strengthen the country’s nuclear emergency preparedness and institutional response mechanisms for nuclear safety.
In a statement, to reinforce technical expertise during the simulation, the Department invited Mr. Bojan Tomic of ENCO Consulting, a Vienna-based engineering and management consultancy established by former officers and nuclear specialists of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Mr. Tomic, who previously served with Siemens Energy and the IAEA, contributed to the exercise by drawing on his extensive experience in high-level regulatory and nuclear safety projects.
In his welcome remarks, Energy Undersecretary Giovanni Carlo J. Bacordo emphasized the broader significance of the initiative. “Let this event be a venue not only for testing our systems and protocols, but also for strengthening our collaboration, building trust, and reinforcing our shared commitment to nuclear and radiological emergency preparedness,” he said.
The simulation is part of the ASEAN Network of Regulatory Bodies on Atomic Energy (ASEANTOM) Project on Enhancing and Strengthening the Response to a Radiological or Nuclear Emergency in ASEAN, supported by the European Commission.
The exercise tested the operational use of the Java-based Real-Time Online Decision Support System (JRODOS), a tool designed for radiological consequence assessment and protective action planning. Participants used JRODOS to analyze hypothetical emergency scenarios, formulate response strategies, and validate inter-agency coordination protocols. The activity also demonstrated how technical experts and decision-makers collaborate using real-time data to safeguard public health and the environment.
Tabletop exercises are discussion-based and scenario-driven, typically conducted in a meeting room or virtual environment without field deployment. They allow agencies to focus on strategic decision-making, clarify roles and responsibilities, and identify potential gaps or overlaps in emergency procedures. Such exercises serve as precursors to larger functional or full-scale drills.
In line with IAEA standards, countries are required to regularly test their nuclear emergency preparedness systems. The IAEA recommends that full-scale drills involving all relevant organizations be conducted every one to two years, with tabletop and functional exercises held more frequently to ensure preparedness for specific functions and inter-agency interfaces.
Meanwhile, the forum for Nuclear Cooperation in Asia (FNCA) Workshop on Radiation Safety and the Radioactive Waste Management Project, held from 08 to 10 July 2025, brought together leading experts from across Asia to share best practices and advance collaborative research in radiation safety, nuclear human resource development, and nuclear safety culture.
Jointly hosted by the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) and Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), the workshop emphasized the importance of international cooperation in enhancing nuclear safety across the region.
The NEP-IAC was established under Executive Order (EO) No. 116, and further strengthened by EO No. 164, to evaluate the safe, secure, and peaceful use of nuclear energy as part of the Philippines’ long-term energy strategy. It is mandated to assess the country’s nuclear energy infrastructure in line with the 19 key issues identified by the IAEA, such as national position, legal and regulatory frameworks, safety and security, emergency planning, and stakeholder engagement.
This tabletop exercise builds on the progress made under the Philippine Nuclear Energy Program and affirms the government’s commitment to responsible nuclear energy development in support of energy security, climate resilience, and public safety.
The recent ratification of the Philippine National Nuclear Energy Safety Act reinforces this commitment by establishing a legal and regulatory framework essential for the safe and secure use of nuclear energy. As the bill paves the way for the creation of the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (PhilATOM), it ensures that safety and security measures are prioritized in the ongoing development of nuclear infrastructure. This alignment illustrates a comprehensive approach to enhancing the country’s nuclear capabilities while fostering public trust and collaboration among stakeholders.
