Students, teachers, members of the media, representatives from the medical sector and the public attended the various technical sessions and visited the open-house exhibits and facilities of the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute – Department of Science and Technology during the 41st Atomic Energy Week celebration from December 9 to 13 at the PNRI Compound along Commonwealth Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City.
The guiding theme for the AEW celebration this year was Nuclear Science, Safety and Security: Road to Smarter Philippines.
As part of the opening ceremonies on December 9, a solemn wreath-laying ceremony with the Medina family was held at the monument of Brigadier General Florencio Medina, who is considered as the Father of Atomic Energy in the Philippines.
Assistant Secretary Jesus R. S. Domingo of the Deparment of Foreign Affairs – Office of the United Nations and Other International Organizations, the guest speaker at the opening ceremonies, hailed the institute’s role “in advancing the beneficial uses of atomic energy in the Philippines and in global nuclear advocacy.”
“For us, you in the PNRI are nuclear diplomats par excellence,” he said.
A well-balanced series of technical sessions were held at the PNRI auditorium from December 10 to 11. Experts from PNRI and other institutions tackled on the different applications of nuclear science and technology – Nuclear Techniques as a Tool in Smart Farming in agriculture, Radioisotopes as Environmental Tracers for the environment, and Technetium-99m Radiopharmaceutical Production and Cyclotron and PET-CT for the medical sector. Issues on nuclear safety and regulations were discussed in Graded Approach in Radioactive Material Licensing, while PNRI’s participation in the country’s coordinated effort during crises, disasters and nuclear emergencies were outlined in National Contingency Planning Process.
Thirty-five secondary schools from across the country competed in the 2013 Philippine Nuclear Science Quiz on December 12. Finalists from the Bicol Region, Central Luzon, Visayas and Metro Manila tied scores during the semi-final and final rounds.
Joshua R. Carag and John D. Celestial of Tabaco National High School won first place in the finals, followed closely by Manila Science High School’s Christlyn Faith H. Arias and Jasper S. Jamir. After a grueling 5-question tie-breaking round, Carlin Drew S. Lapuz and Jose R. Rueda IV of the Philippine Science High School - Central Luzon Campus clinched the third place from Tagbilaran City Science High School and Philippine Science High School - Main Campus, both of whom also originally tied for third place. The PSHS Central Luzon campus earlier tied for first place in the semi-finals with the PSHS Main campus and Negros Occidental High School, extending the finalists to six contestants instead of the expected five. The first placer in the final round received a cash prize of P30,000, the second placer P20,000 and the third placer P10,000.
Congressman Alfred Vargas, Representative of the 5th District of Quezon City and DOST Undersecretary Fortunato Dela Peña graced the celebration’s closing ceremonies. Congressman Vargas congratulated the PNRI for the success of the 41st Atomic Energy Week, giving his support to the institute’s future activities and endorsing the importance of its work in government.
“As the law mandates that the institute must spearhead the country’s nuclear research and development as well as the preservation of nuclear safety and security, so shall the law support it,” the congressman said.
He shared his past experiences in PNRI when he was younger and acknowledged the help it has provided even in Quezon City. Vargas especially requested the PNRI to help in the development and improvement of cancer treatment technologies in the Philippines.
Meanwhile, Undersecretary Dela Peña redefined the AEIOU vowels into the necessary virtues and factors the PNRI must sustain in the field of nuclear research and development – “A for Advancement, E for Excellence, I for Innovation, O for Outcome-based and U for Upward movement in the value chain.”
PNRI also commended the achievements of its scientists and employees in various fields, complete with certificates, plaques and other awards.
As mandated under Presidential Proclamation No. 1211 in 1973, the annual AEW is celebrated every second week of December to help generate awareness of the Filipinos on the beneficial uses of nuclear science and technology.
