Senator Bam Aquino Champions Nuclear Liability Act as Crucial Safety Net for PH Energy Future
Senator Bam Aquino is spearheading legislative efforts in the Senate to establish a comprehensive legal safety net for the Philippines' planned foray into nuclear energy. He warns that public support for this technology remains delicate, largely hinging on the promise of reduced electricity costs.
Key Legislative Push for Updated Liability Framework
As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology, Aquino made these remarks during a committee hearing on Senate Bill 1206, the proposed Philippine Nuclear Liability Act, held on January 22, 2026. The measure aims to modernize the country's outdated 1968 nuclear liability framework by aligning it with the Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage.
Aquino stressed that passing this bill is essential to ensure private nuclear power operators are held financially accountable for accidents, meltdowns, or other nuclear-related incidents, even before any electricity production begins. "This bill will support industry players because it will provide a clearer regime in case of accidents, claims, and liabilities. This will encourage the industry to come in," he stated during the hearing.
Broad Application and Multi-Tiered Compensation System
The proposed law would not only apply to future nuclear power plants but also cover all other uses of nuclear technology in the Philippines, even if nuclear power generation does not proceed. It introduces a multi-tiered compensation system designed to ensure funds for environmental rehabilitation and victim compensation are readily available, effectively protecting Filipino taxpayers from bearing the costs of a nuclear incident.
DOE Identifies Potential Sites and Highlights Cost Benefits
The hearing coincided with a presentation from the Department of Energy (DOE), which identified several potential sites for the country's first nuclear facilities. DOE Director Patrick Aquino reported that technical evaluations are ongoing in:
- Bataan, including the site of the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant
- Labrador, Pangasinan
- Camarines Norte
- Masbate
- Palawan
Energy officials noted that the Philippines continues to have some of the highest electricity rates in Southeast Asia, averaging P9.86 per kilowatt-hour. They highlighted that while uranium fuel costs around $30 million, producing the same amount of power using coal could cost nearly $800 million, a difference that could lead to significant household savings.
Public Support and Cautions from Senator Aquino
A 2024 survey indicated that nearly 70 percent of Filipinos support nuclear energy. However, Senator Aquino cautioned lawmakers and energy officials against complacency, noting that public support is driven mainly by the hope of cheaper electricity rather than strong confidence in the technology itself. "For Filipino families, the primary concern is having a source of cheaper electricity," he explained.
He also emphasized the importance of securing full approval from local government units and stakeholders before establishing any nuclear facility, citing the critical nature of such plants. "For a nuclear plant to be built in an LGU, we need the full approval of all stakeholders. We must take extra care in choosing the right partners and determining where these plants will be built in the future," he added.
Legislative Context and Future Outlook
This push for the nuclear liability law follows the enactment of Republic Act 12305 in late 2025, which created PhilATOM, the country's first independent nuclear regulatory body. Officials at the hearing stated that while the Philippines aims to have its first operational nuclear power plant by 2032, passing the Nuclear Liability Act is the final legislative requirement needed to unlock serious private sector investment, including interest from major firms like Meralco and Aboitiz.
