US, Japan commit support for PH civil nuclear energy program

WASHINGTON, D.C. —The United States and Japan have committed to assist the Philippines in its civil nuclear energy program, as the three countries seek to strengthen their cooperation on the transition to clean energy.

Based on the Joint Vision Statement released on Thursday, leaders of the three countries said they would intensify their partnership on “safe and secure nuclear capacity building.”

“Recognizing the Philippines’ request for further training and capacity building for scientists, engineers, and relevant personnel and policy-makers, our three nations seek to expand our partnership on safe and secure civil-nuclear capacity building,” the statement read.

“We also plan to deepen trilateral cooperation on civilian nuclear workforce development through a trilateral dialogue this year, to advance the Philippines’ civil nuclear energy program,” it added.

The Department of Energy (DOE) in December said it targets to include nuclear power in the energy mix in the next 10 years, as Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla earlier said the country’s foray into nuclear power generation could happen “within the decade.”

The three countries were also part of the Nuclear Energy Summit in Brussels last month, where participants recognized nuclear energy as a component of the transition into clean energy.

“Our three nations seek to expand trilateral cooperation in the Philippines on the deployment of clean energy technologies, including renewable energy projects such as solar and wind, to support energy requirements in the Philippines and help ensure a just energy transition,” the statement read.

Japan and the United States are also looking at co-hosting a nuclear energy study tour in Japan for nuclear experts and policy decision-makers from the Philippines and other partner countries of the Foundational Infrastructure for Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology (FIRST) program.

“Japan, the Philippines, and the United States are working together to expand cooperation for the transition to clean energy and create high-standard, clean energy supply chain jobs across our three nations through the mutually beneficial development of resources in clear, transparent, and fair market competition with strong protections for labor rights and the environment,” the statement read.

In an earlier briefing, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez said the country is trying to lure in small modular nuclear power plants, in efforts to address the rising power demand.

He also said President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is set to meet with representatives of Ultra Safe regarding the matter. Based on its website, the firm is headquartered in Seattle, and boasts itself as the only private company producing TRISO and FCM fuel. —NB, GMA Integrated News