PNRI Conducts Onsite Training Course on Environmental Radioactivity in Laguna
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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.
PNRI GSRGP Grantee Wins 1st Place at ENVIRA 2019 In Czech Republic
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PNRI GSRGP Grantee Wins 1st Place at ENVIRA 2019 In Czech Republic
Congratulations to PNRI Graduate Student Research Grant Program (GSRGP) grantee Dr. Sunshine Tan, for winning the 1st Place for Best Oral Presentation Award at the 2019 International Conference on Environmental Radioactivity (ENVIRA 2019) in Prague, Czech Republic, with participants from 41 countries.
Dr. Tan's dissertation titled "Iodine-129 as an environmental tracer for salinity origin in groundwater in Pampanga, Philippines" was performed in part at the DOST - Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, under the mentorship of Dr. Angel Bautista VII of the Nuclear Analytical Techniques Applications Section.
The PNRI GSRGP is a research grant program implemented by PNRI and funded by the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD).
NUCLEAR SCIENCE FOR EVERY JUAN: PNRI at the 63rd IAEA General Conference
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Photos by Dean Calma of IAEA and by PNRI staff
NUCLEAR SCIENCE FOR EVERY JUAN: The Philippines at the 63rd IAEA General Conference
Showcasing the best and latest among Filipino applications of nuclear science and technology, the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) joined the Philippine delegation during the 63rd General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) from September 16-20, 2019 in Vienna, Austria.
The delegation launched the country's exhibit entitled "Nuclear Science and Technology for Every Juan" at the Vienna International Center on September 16, with IAEA officials and delegates from other Member States in attendance.
Among the visiting officials to the Philippines' exhibit are IAEA Acting Director General Mr. Cornel Feruta, Deputy Directors General Ms. Najat Mokhtar and Mr. Dazhu Yang, and Filipino scientist Ms. Jane Gerardo-Abaya, who currently serves as the IAEA Director of the Technical Cooperation Division for Asia and the Pacific.
The visitors were welcomed by PNRI Director Dr. Carlo Arcilla and Ambassador Maria Cleofe Natividad, who is the Philippines' ambassador to Austria and the Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the IAEA. IAEA Acting DG Feruta also addressed the visitors during the launching of the exhibit, and was presented with Philippine mangoes by Dr. Arcilla and Ambassador Natividad.
The international crowd literally had a taste of Filipino hospitality as they were served with local food, delicacies and desserts during the exhibit launching.
The Philippines has been a Member State of the IAEA since 1958, and has since enjoyed a strong partnership with the Agency in spearheading the benefits of Atoms for Peace and Development in the country.
PNRI Director Wins Award at 2019 PhilAAST Convention
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PNRI Director Wins Gregorio Y. Zara Award at 2019 PhilAAST Convention
PNRI Director Dr. Carlo Arcilla (3rd from left) was recently awarded the Gregorio Y. Zara Award for Basic Research by the Philippine Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology (PhilAAST) during the 68th PhilAAST Annual Conventionon September 11, 2019 at the Hotel Jen Manila, Pasay City.
The award was given in recognition for his significant contributions in the field of geological sciences and for sharing his expertise that helped resolve sensitive issues on mineral resource development, water management and peaceful applications of nuclear energy in the Philippines.
An award-winning geology professor, Dr. Arcilla was previously the Director of the National Institute of Geological Sciences (NIGS) at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, from 2007 to 2015. He served as amicus curiae to the Philippine Supreme Court for the first Writ of Kalikasan cases involving the Makati pipeline disaster in 2010, and was also called as an expert witness for the Philippines in the International Court of Arbitration in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Arcilla was appointed as PNRI Director in 2017. He is also involved in nuclear-related research for more than a decade, particularly in studies on nuclear waste disposal.
