The Department of Energy is preparing a circular for the nuclear sector, a month after the law establishing the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority was ratified, to guide stakeholders on the new energy source.

On the sidelines of the 2025 post-State of the Nation Address (SONA) discussion, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin announced that the DOE plans to issue an advisory to guide stakeholders in the nuclear sector.

“The Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) should be handled by PhilATOM, not the energy sector. They're already working on it; it's their area of expertise,” Garin told reporters when asked about the rules for developing nuclear power.

She added, “For us, we'll be releasing a circular ordering everyone to design the permitting process for putting up a nuclear power plant, including grid synchronization, how their Competitive Selection Process (CSP) will be, and how the offtake will go.”

Garin also said that “special treatment” would be given to those who pioneer the first nuclear plant.

Prior to her current role, Garin led the Nuclear Energy Program-Inter-Agency Committee (NEP-IAC). According to the DOE, this group is responsible for formulating the nuclear energy roadmap, addressing infrastructure issues identified by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and developing a regulatory and legal framework.

While PhilATOM has yet to release the draft IRR, the DOE is exploring ways to involve other government agencies, particularly those in the finance sector, to address funding. Garin stated that discussions are underway with various departments to gather insights on the country's entry into nuclear energy.

“With further talks with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of Finance (DOF), hopefully we can advance on what role the government will decide… [This is] not just the DOE or the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI),” she explained.

When asked about potential changes to attached agencies with PhilATOM's establishment, Garin noted that the National Electrification Administration (NEA) and Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) have already been submitted for consideration.

Despite plans to build a nuclear power plant by 2032 under the Philippine Energy Plan (PEP), the entry of PhilATOM does not signal an immediate start to construction. The DOE Secretary previously clarified that nuclear power development requires a thorough process to comply with IAEA requirements for building nuclear infrastructure.

PhilATOM will serve as the sole regulator for the “peaceful, safe, and secure” utilization of nuclear energy and radiation sources. The power generated from nuclear sources will remain under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA).