THE House of Representatives welcomed International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi on Wednesday in a courtesy meeting seen as a key step toward strengthening the Philippines’ understanding of nuclear energy and its potential role in addressing the country’s persistent power challenges.
Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III said the meeting allowed lawmakers to engage directly with the IAEA’s top leadership at a time when the Philippines is pushing to strengthen its energy security and deepen scientific cooperation with global partners.
“We are grateful for this opportunity to learn from you and from the IAEA team,” Speaker Dy told DG Grossi.
“For many of us in the House, nuclear energy is an area where we want to deepen our knowledge and understanding. And I want to say this honestly and humbly: we need to come up with solutions to address the energy problems of our country.”
The Speaker cited the everyday realities faced by communities throughout the Philippines, including in his own region.
“As someone who comes from the Northeastern part of Luzon, I see firsthand the same challenges faced across the Philippines. Power is insufficient. Power is expensive. And power is not always available when our people need it most. These realities limit growth, discourage investments, and burden ordinary families.”
During the meeting, Speaker Dy also highlighted the Philippines’ long-standing commitment to the peaceful use of nuclear energy, noting that the Constitution expressly prohibits nuclear weapons—an early and principled stance that aligns squarely with the IAEA’s global mandate on safety and non-proliferation.
He described DG Grossi, widely regarded as a leading contender for the United Nations Secretary-General post in 2026, as a “steady and respected voice” in guiding nations toward responsible nuclear development.
The courtesy call comes shortly after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening nuclear regulation and cooperation, following the signing of the Philippine Nuclear Law. The President has also announced that under the Philippines’ 2026 Chairship of ASEAN, the country intends to expand the work of the ASEAN Network of Regulatory Bodies on Atomic Energy to enhance regional literacy, laboratory capacity, and regulatory harmonization.
Speaker Dy said the House remains committed to supporting energy policies anchored on safety, transparency, and long-term national benefit.
“If developed responsibly—with the right safeguards, the right institutions, and the right public engagement—nuclear energy can be part of a more secure and competitive future for the Filipino people.”
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