Operation of International Station to Monitor Nuclear Testing Turned Over to PNRI
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Dr. Alumanda M. dela Rosa, who heads the Institute, and Dr. Emerenciana B. Duran, President of Scientific Solutions International, Inc. (SSI), who undertook the construction of the infrastructure and the station’s initial testing, formally signed the certification turning over to PNRI the operation of the international monitoring facility sponsored by the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO). The RN52 facility forms part of the international “eyes and ears” of the organization that is on the look-out for nuclear weapons testing worldwide.
In her brief statement, Dr. dela Rosa lauded the collaborative effort of the Health Physics staff, led by Ms. Teresa Nazarea, and the SSI for laying the necessary groundwork leading to today’s turn-over rites. She also acknowledged the local weather bureau, PAGASA, who provided the site for the facility and who has made available two of its personnel to undertake the operation of the station together with four of PNRI’s staff.
Dr. Duran, on the other hand, expressed gratitude saying that the success of the endeavor is owed to the synergy between PNRI and SSI. She promised to entertain questions on the station’s operation should these arise, and stressed the importance of data quality and adherence to the standard operating procedures to ensure the smooth run of the facility. The company she heads will be responsible for preventive maintenance in the station until the year 2008.
The formal contract governing the operation of RN52 is expected to be finalized anytime today by the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO.
PNRI Receives Mission of Nuclear Law Experts
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Two luminaries in the field of nuclear legislation were received by the PNRI for a one-week mission that seeks to assist the Institute in reviewing its draft bill governing the use and regulation of ionizing radiation.
Dr. George Philip and Dr. Carl Stoiber, who were dispatched by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), are now holding discussions with the officials of the PNRI. This series of meetings, particularly, with the Institute’s regulatory arm, comes on the heels of a seminar they conducted yesterday with other stakeholders such as the Department of Health, Department of Energy, Department of Justice, Department of Science and Technology, and legislative staff from the House of Representatives.
The proposed House Bill that is presently under review is intended to be an “Act to Regulate the Nuclear, Security and Safety Aspects in the Peaceful Utilization of Ionizing Radiation Sources through the Creation of the Philippine Nuclear Regulatory Authority”.
Though still at its earliest stages, the Bill’s approval and subsequent enactment is foreseen to contribute to the more effective regulatory control of radioactive sources and ionizing radiation sources, assuring a more adequate protection of the health and safety of the public.
Decommissioning Meeting and Demonstration Activity to be hosted by the Philippines
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The national nuclear agency, PNRI, is currently hosting the First Technical Meeting on Research Reactor Decommissioning Demonstration Project (R2D2P) from 26 to 30 June 2006 attended to, by seventeen (17) foreign delegates.
The activity, which will be locally participated in by Mr. Leonardo S. Leopando and Mr. Teofilo Leonin, Jr., is being organized under the auspices of the International Atomic Energy Agency and aims to provide information to other countries on the various techniques used throughout the decommissioning process for research reactors.
The Philippine Research Reactor-1 (PRR-1) will be used as a demonstration facility for the series of technical meetings that will be held on this subject.
R2D2P is in response to the perceived need of an increasing number of Member States whose research reactors have remained in a "state of limbo" due to lack of a decommissioning policy, expertise or the necessary funds to effectively implement decommissioning. The whole project aims to provide a platform for practical training in activities related to safe decommissioning, including aspects ranging from the establishment of a regulatory infrastructure for the regulatory body to the final release of the facility from regulatory control.
For the first technical meeting, resource persons from Sweden, USA and the International Atomic Energy Agency will be on hand to facilitate the discussions.
PNRI Chief to Address Global Meeting of Women in Nuclear (WIN)
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PNRI Chief to Address Global Meeting of Women in Nuclear (WIN)
Dr. Alumanda M. dela Rosa, Director of the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, is set to speak on June 1, 2006 before a mostly-women conference in Ontario, Canada to share the activities of the Philippines and the Asia-Pacific region, in general, on the non-power applications of nuclear technology.
Citing her recent feat as an awardee of the World Nuclear Association, Dr. dela Rosa has been invited by the organizers of the Women-In-Nuclear Global Meeting to address an estimated 300-strong audience on the topic "Beyond Energy: The Latest Nuclear Advancement in Healthcare, Agriculture, Manufacturing and Elsewhere".
The Women-In-Nuclear (WIN) is a worldwide association of women working professionally in the fields of nuclear energy and the application of radiation. The association’s principal objective is to emphasize and support the role of women in addressing the public’s concern about nuclear energy and the application of radiation and nuclear technologies.
Last September, Dr. dela Rosa was conferred the distinct honor of being one of the "Women In Nuclear" who have contributed significantly to the peaceful use of nuclear technology. The awarding ceremony was held in London, England on the occasion of the 30th Annual Symposium of the World Nuclear Association.
