Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI)
Class: Government (attached to Department of Science and Technology) Abbreviation: PNRI Legal basis: Established 1958 as Nuclear Research Center; reorganized by EO 128 (1987) Post-RA 12305 status: Regulatory functions transferred to PhilATOM; PNRI survives with reduced mandate
PNRI is the Philippines’ nuclear research institution, historically responsible for both nuclear research and radiation safety regulation. RA 12305 (Philippine National Nuclear Energy Safety Act, effective October 2025) transferred all of PNRI’s regulatory functions to the newly created Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (PhilATOM) , while PNRI retains its research mandate and its exclusive responsibility for low and intermediate level radioactive waste management. [RA 12305, §6/§47/§52, 2025]
Post-RA 12305 Role
RA 12305 §47 specifically assigns the Low and Intermediate Level Radioactive Waste Management Office to PNRI. This is the key retained function after PhilATOM is constituted:
| Function | Post-RA 12305 Assignment |
|---|---|
| All nuclear/radiation regulatory functions | Transferred to PhilATOM |
| FDA-CDRRHR radiation device regulatory functions | Transferred to PhilATOM |
| Nuclear research and development | Retained by PNRI |
| Low and Intermediate Level Radioactive Waste Management | Retained by PNRI (§47) |
[RA 12305, §47/§52, 2025]
High-level radioactive waste (spent nuclear fuel) management falls under PhilATOM and is funded by an operator-funded Radioactive Waste and Spent Fuel Management Fund held at DBP. [RA 12305, §17(c), 2025]
Transition
PNRI’s Director serves on the Transition Committee — together with the FDA-CDRRHR Director and FDA Director General — responsible for facilitating complete PhilATOM operation within 1 year of PhilATOM Council constitution. [RA 12305, §52, 2025]
Key transition provisions:
- Existing PNRI authorizations (licenses, permits) remain valid until superseded by PhilATOM regulations [RA 12305, §51, 2025]
- PNRI and FDA-CDRRHR staff transferred to PhilATOM receive no demotion in rank or diminution in compensation [RA 12305, §52, 2025]
- Transferred staff are covered by the Magna Carta for Scientists (RA 8439) [RA 12305, §52, 2025]
- PNRI personnel who transfer to PhilATOM retain their civil service eligibility and tenure
Relationship to PhilATOM
PNRI and PhilATOM have distinct, non-overlapping mandates post-transition:
| Body | Mandate |
|---|---|
| PNRI | Nuclear research; Low/ILW radioactive waste management |
| PhilATOM | Sole and exclusive nuclear/radiation safety regulatory jurisdiction; IAEA interface; NPT safeguards |
PhilATOM is headquartered at Clark Special Economic Zone (BCDA). PNRI’s existing facility at Diliman, Quezon City continues its research operations. [RA 12305, §54, 2025]