National Progress Report: Philippines

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Nuclear Safeguards: The Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) ensures that nuclear materials are not diverted to non-peaceful applications. As part of the reporting obligations under the Additional Protocol, the PNRI submitted an annual update of the declaration and quarterly reports of Export of Annex 2 items.

US Department of Energy (US DOE) Funded Programs/Projects: Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Radiological Security Program formerly Global Threat Reduction Initiative (GRTI)

  • Additional security upgrades installed in the hospitals and PNRI facilities with category 1 sources in view of the latest development in radioactive source security requirements, updates on threat assessment and new security system technologies.
  • Conducted Radiological Security Incident Response Training (Train-the-Trainer) for the Philippine National Police on 16-19 February 2015 held in Bohol. The objective of the training is to enhance the capability and effectiveness of PNP to conduct training by integrating its curriculum to the Police Academy. This is in support for sustainability of PNP’s human resource development
  • Upgraded the PNRI perimeter fence to harden the physical protection along the Radioactive Waste Facility.
     Megaports Initiative/ Nuclear Smuggling Detection and Deterrence
  • Memorandum of Agreement was signed on 20 July 2015 among the implementing agencies, Bureau of Customs, Philippine Ports Authority and Philippine Nuclear Research Institute in the implementation and sustainability of installed Radiation Portal Monitors (RPMs) at the Port of Manila. The US DOE supported the transition turnover to the Philippine government, the RPMs and other radiation detection equipment for the maintenance.
  • Recovered radiation source from the radiation equipment particularly a TROXLER moisture/density gauge which was sold for scrap during the tertiary inspection at Cebu International Port in July 2015. The moisture/density gauge has an americium and cesium sources. Unfortunately, only the americium was recovered. The PNRI informed the Bureau of Customs in Cebu to monitor possible gamma alarm on future scrap metal export of the Consignor. The PNRI continued to assist the BOC in the interdiction of radiation sources in the scraps and contaminated goods with radioactive sources detected at the ports.
  • The Philippine National Police received four (4) mobile detection vans with handheld based detection and identification systems in November 2015. This is to enhance the capabilities for preventing, mitigating, and apprehending suspects and criminals in the act of radiological and nuclear material smuggling. The PNRI will support the PNP through our Mobile Expert Support Teams (MEST) also with one (1) MDS van.
  • US Bilateral Assessment Visit Update on 20-21 July 2015. The purpose was to hold discussions with appropriate Government and PNRI officials to review the plans and discuss topics on threats and physical protection based on the IAEA INFCIRC 225 Rev. 5. Representatives from NICA and NSC were present in the meeting. The US Team was composed of the following: US DOE, US Dept. of State, US NRC and Sandia National Laboratory.

IAEA’s Support for Nuclear Security Major Public Event

  • NSSS hosted the Coordination Meeting on Major Public Event with IAEA from 11-13 March 2015. The workshop was attended by relevant government agencies and PNRI staff. The Joint Action Plan was signed on 29 April 2015 between the Division of Nuclear Security of the IAEA and PNRI in relation to the 27th APEC Economic Leaders Meeting in November 2015 to be held in Manila.
  • In preparation of the APEC, training workshops were conducted:
     
    • National Workshop on Threat Assessment and Design Basis Threat, 21-24 April 2015
    • Workshop on Nuclear Security Systems and Measures for Major Public Event in cooperation with the USDOE/NNSA.
    • Workshop on Concept of Operations between Front Line Officers and Mobile Expert Support Teams
    • Workshop on Responding to Nuclear Security Events at Venues and other Strategic Locations
  • Received equipment on a loan basis to be deployed during the APEC Meeting: 
    • 60 Personal Radiation Detectors
    • 8 Radionuclide Identification Devices
    • 6 Portable Radiation Scanners (Backpacks)

US DOE EQUIPMENT

60 pagers, 16 backpacks, 14 RIIDS, 2 linear radiation monitor, 2 high purity germanium detector, 2 SPARCS mobile system, 2 health physics kits

4.      The PNRI MEST performed the scanning/monitoring/paneling together with PNP, AFP and Bureau of Fire CBRN teams at the venue of the APEC Economic leaders meeting, hotels, staging areas and routes. Hotels requested to be installed with radiation equipment.

Cooperative Agreement with the Global Partnership Program of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada (DFATD) –

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD) and the PNRI concerning activities in furtherance of the G-8 Global Partnership against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction was finalized and signed by the contracting parties on 12 January 2015. The Implementing Arrangement under the Appendix 1 of the MOU was signed on 23 January 2015. The MOU was to install physical protection system at the research reactor. The installation is on-going.

E.      European Commission project on Border Monitoring Activities in the Philippines. The purpose is to support the development of a training center at PNRI dedicated to train port operators, customs police and other first responders in the field of nuclear detection and response. The assistance is to install Radiation Portal Monitor at the front gate of PNRI, handheld equipment and train-the-trainer program. The installation of the RPM is on-going and projected to finish in January 2016.