Social Aspects of Radioactive Waste Disposal Program in the Philippines

Maria V. B. Palattao National Project Coordinator Radioactive Waste Repository Project

Outline

• Sources of Radioactive Waste

• Radioactive Waste Disposal Program

• Communication Program

• Challenges

Sources of Radioactive Waste

Decommissioning of 3 MW TRIGA Research Reactor

Sources of Radioactive Waste (3)

620 MW Bataan Nuclear Power Plant

Sources of Radioactive Waste (2)

Category Number of license holders

2009 2010 2011

Industry 150 138 146

Industrial radiography

20 25 23

Medical 79 90 85

Research 23 22 26

Distribution and sale

32 35 34

Medical cyclotron

1 1 1

Total 305 311 315

Interim Treatment and Waste Storage Facilities

Currently all radioactive wastes are stored inside the PNRI compound

WASTE DISPOSAL PROGRAM

Co-location Concept: NSF and BDC

Drilling Activity at the Site

DDH - 1

CURRENT DRILLING SITE

DDH - 2

ON-GOING WORK

Public Perception Survey on Nuclear Energy for Power Generation as a Long-term Option in the Philippines

Public Information and Consultation Team Inter-agency Core Group on Nuclear Energy

Awareness Seminars

• Nuclear Safety Caravan covering key

regions in the country

• Local Government Units at host province

• High Schools students and teachers at host province

Challenges

• Fixed mind set

• Active NGOs with anti nuke stand

• Need for an effective communication plan

• Need for an experienced public communicator

• Demand for economic benefits

THANK YOU . . . SALAMAT AND MABUHAY!!

Bohol Tarsier: smallest primate in the world and

found only in Bohol, Philippines