From left to right: Japan Atomic Energy Agency Experts: Dr. Yuki Morishita and Dr. Hiroya Yokoyama, Mr. Jofel Suan of Philippine Geothermal Production Company, Dr. Chitho Feliciano, Head of Health Physics Research Section PNRI, Ms. Rosario Encabo, Training Course Coordinator (PNRI), Dr. Kazuki Iwaoka of the Quantum and Radiological Sciences and Technology and the employees of the Philippine Geothermal Production Company
PNRI Conducts Onsite Training Course on Environmental Radioactivity in Laguna
The Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) in cooperation with the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) successfully conducted the 2019 National Workshop on Environmental Radioactivity Monitoring from September 30 to October 04, 2019 at the Philippine Geothermal Production Company (PGPC) Mak-Ban, Bay, Laguna.
The Training Course on Environmental Radioactivity is an annual workshop organized by the Health Physics Research Section (HPRS) of PNRI which aims to provide participants from various backgrounds a working knowledge and practical experience on radioactivity monitoring in the environment.
To better reach its target participants, the training course was conducted onsite in partnership with the PGPC. Thirteen employees of PGPC coming from its two branches (Mak-ban and Tiwi) participated in the training course. The lecturers who imparted invaluable knowledge to the participants include the Japanese experts — Dr. Kazuki Iwaoka from the National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Sciences and Technology (QST), Dr. Yuki Morishita from JAEA, and Dr. Hiroya Yokoyama, also from JAEA; HPRS environmental radioactivity research experts — Dr. Chitho Feliciano, Ms. Lorna Jean Palad, Ms. Eliza Enriquez, Mr. Ryan Aniago, Mr. Paolo Cruz, Ms. Rosario Encabo (Course Coordinator), and Mr. Juanario Olivarez; and PGPC Mak-Ban Health, Environment, and Security Specialist Ms. Anita Mercado.
In addition to the standard lecture modules and practical exercises on environmental radioactivity monitoring, this year’s workshop featured topics concerning environmental radioactivity in Japan, especially on the current nuclear regulatory status and environmental monitoring strategies eight years after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, investigations on technologically enhanced naturally-occurring radioactive materials (TENORM) and Japanese products such as rice, and the development of novel radiation detectors, by the Japanese experts, Dr. Kazuki, Dr. Yuki, and Dr. Hiroya. Ms. Anita also gave an overview of geothermal energy and facilitated the discussion concerning its costs, safety, and reliability.
On the last day and closing of the training course, the participants were conferred certificates signifying their successful completion of the workshop. A testimonial was given by the participants and overall, the workshop was very organized, informative, and effective. In the closing remarks by the PGPC Director Mr. Hector Morota, he indicated his interest in conducting similar and advanced training and workshops in collaboration with PNRI in the future.
