Mission Evaluates Past IAEA Projects
- Details
Two experts were sent by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) last 15 to 19 August, to examine achievements and constraints under selected projects of the IAEA environmental programme implemented in the Philippines.
The mission team, composed of Mr. Dalibor Kysela of IAEA and Mr. Katsumi Hirose of Japan, sought to gather evaluative evidence, best practices and other relevant experiences from past and ongoing Technical Cooperation projects on the marine environment for possible inputs to IAEA's future programming.
The team was able to meet with project staff from the PNRI, the U.P.-Marine Science Institute (MSI) and National Institute of Geological Sciences (NIGS), and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). Visits to international organizations such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO-PEMSEA), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) were also conducted. Similarly, Messrs. Kysela and Hirose had the opportunity to meet with Science Secretary Dr. Estrella F. Alabastro and PCAMRD Director Dr. Rafael Guerrero III.
United States and Philippine Governments Launch Effort to Detect Terrorist Shipments of Nuclear Material
- Details
Equipment Will Help Thwart Attempts to Smuggle Components for Nuclear Weapons and "Dirty Bombs" through Seaports
Manila - The United States and Philippine Governments today signed an agreement to install special equipment at the Port of Manila to detect hidden shipments of nuclear and other radioactive material. This agreement will further strengthen their work together in the war on terrorism.
United States Charge d'Affaires Joseph A. Mussomeli signed the cooperative agreement on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) with Secretary Estrella Alabastro of the Philippines Department of Science and Technology (D0ST). "The United States and the Philippines both recognize the need to remain vigilant against the threat posed by the trafficking of nuclear and other radioactive materials through the global maritime shipping network," said Chargé d'Affaires Mussomeli. "This initiative is yet another example of the excellent cooperation in the overall relationship between the United States and the Philippines, and will further our mutual international nonproliferation and anti-terrorist efforts."
Secretary Alabastro said, "This is one big stride in strengthening the world's nuclear security regime. The increased capacity of the Philippines to prevent illicit movements of radioactive sources will impact the global monitoring systems. It also supports our national effort to enhance and strengthen the safety and security of radioactive sources under the regulatory control of the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute."
The U.S. - Philippines agreement falls under the Department of Energy, (DOE) NNSA Megaports Initiative, which is designed to work with foreign governments to deter, detect and interdict illicit shipments of nuclear and radioactive materials. The Philippines will be one of the first countries in Southeast Asia to utilize this type of detection system. The specialized radiation detection technology was developed by DOE laboratories as part of overall U.S. nuclear security efforts to guard against the proliferation of nuclear weapons material.
The Megaports Initiative supports foreign countries in deploying radiation detection capability at key seaports to screen cargo containers for nuclear and other radioactive materials.
MANUEL ROMULO EUGENIO NUCLEAR SCIENTIST AND EDUCATOR (10 June 1929 - 16 July 2005)
- Details
Dr. Manuel R. Eugenio, former Commissioner of the Philippine Atomic Energy Commission ( now known as the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute) of the Department of Science and Technology passed away on Saturday, 16 July 2005 at the age of 76. He was born on June 10, 1929 to former Civil Defense Administrator Alfredo G. Eugenio and Josefina Romulo, sister of Carlos P. Romulo, the first Asian to serve as president of the United Nations General Assembly.
Dr. Eugenio began his career in the nuclear field in the Philippines when he joined the PAEC as a senior scientist in November 1958. In 1960, he was appointed as Chief of the Nuclear Engineering Department which was responsible for the production of radioisotopes. He became the Training Director of the PAEC Nuclear Training Institute in 1971. Three years after, he resigned from PAEC and left for the United States. He rejoined PAEC upon his return to the Philippines in 1978. Dr Eugenio was appointed as PAEC Commissioner in September 1984. In November 1987, he was appointed as Director of the Science Education Institute, DOST where he retired from government service.
Dr. Eugenio will be remembered for his pivotal role and outstanding contributions to the advancement of the safe and peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology in the country. He received a commendation from the University of Maryland Graduate School in the United States for his doctoral thesis "The Determination of Preferred Orientation in Rolled Electrical Steels Using Single Diffraction of Neutron". His studies on nuclear radiation and radioisotopes and on utilization of neutrons opened up many potential uses of atomic energy for industry, engineering, biology and medicine in the Philippines. Dr Eugenio's studies and development of local techniques in radioisotope production with the use of the Philippine Research Reactor (PRR-1) led to the local production of some 19 types of radioisotopes for use in biology, medicine, industry and research.
For his significant contributions in the field of nuclear science and technology, Dr. Eugenio was awarded the Rizal Pro-Patria Award in 1968.
Dr. Eugenio is survived by his wife, Aida Davila Eugenio, one of the first Ten Outstanding Women in the Nation's Service (TOWNS) Awardee, a Career Scientist II and a former Deputy Director of the PNRI.
His remains lie in state at the Don Bosco Chapel, Makati. Necrological services will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, July 20, 2005 at the PNRI Auditorium in Diliman, Quezon City.
Philippines Host NDT Coordinators' Meeting
- Details
Under the framework of the regional RCA project, RAS/8/100, a National NDT (Non-Destructive Testing) Coordinators Meeting will be hosted by the PNRI from 20 to 23 June 2005.
The main objectives of the meeting are to review and revise the National Action Plan of Member States participating in the regional project, and to discuss ways for mutual recognition of NDT standards and practices with a view of achieving harmonization at the regional level. In addition, a National Executive Manager's Seminar is planned to be conducted within the Meeting in order to effectively disseminate the potentials of nondestructive testing in various industrial applications.
Philippine participation in the Meeting is through the person of Mr. Renato Banaga, an NDT trainor and practitioner, who is also the designated National Project Coordinator for this project.
