President Marcos – Author Carlo Carrasco

Philippines January 2026 Inflation Rate Lands At 2%

February 14, 2026February 9, 2026carlocarrasco

The inflation rate of the Philippines for the month of January 2026 landed at 2% which is the highest in almost a year’s time, according to a news report by BusinessWorld.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of BusinessWorld. Some parts in boldface…

PHILIPPINE INFLATION accelerated to its fastest pace in nearly a year in January amid a faster rise in rents and electricity rates, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported.

Headline inflation picked up to 2% from 1.8% in December but slowed from 2.9% in the same month last year. This was the fastest pace seen in 11 months or since 2.1% in February 2025.

It also marked the first time in almost a year that the consumer price index (CPI) hit the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) 2%-4% target.

The January clip was likewise above the 1.8% median forecast in a BusinessWorld poll of 18 economists but was within the central bank’s 1.4%-2.2% estimate for the month.

“The main reason for the higher inflation rate in January 2026 compared with December 2025 is the faster price increase in housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels, which recorded a 3.3% inflation rate,” National Statistician Claire Dennis S. Mapa said at a news briefing on Thursday.

Inflation for housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels quickened to 3.3%, the fastest since 3.8% in August 2024.

According to the PSA, this commodity group had a 45.9% share in the overall inflation uptick in January.

Broken down, inflation for electricity rose to 6.5% year on year in January from the revised 4% in December, while rental prices picked up by 2.9% during the month from 2.4% in December.

This comes even after Manila Electric. Co. trimmed electricity rates by 16.37 centavos per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to P12.9508 per kWh last month from P13.1145 per kWh in December, which meant households consuming an average of 200 kWh paid P33 less in their monthly electricity bill.

In January 2025, Meralco charged P11.7428 per kWh.

The Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) said the government is enforcing programs to manage price pressures emerging from the energy sector. It includes improving the Department of Energy’s Net Metering Program by enforcing time-bound local permitting, simplifying utility documentary requirements and expanding consumer incentives.

“The program allows consumers to install eligible renewable energy systems and export surplus electricity to the grid, helping lower electricity costs and support the energy transition,” the DEPDev said in a statement.

Mr. Mapa also noted that liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) added price pressures, as inflation settled at -2.8% in January from -5.1% in December.

In January, Petron Corp. hiked LPG prices by P2.18 per kilogram (kg), while Solane imposed a P2.18-per-kg increase.

This means that the price of a household-standard 11-kg LPG tank ranged from P820 to P1,120 last month, based on data from the Department of Energy.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the inflation rate of the Philippines could rise to as much as 3% this year? What do you think will be the factors – both internal and external – that will cause the inflation rate to spike?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Malacañang Declares February 13 A Special Non-Working Day In Parañaque City For Cityhood Anniversary

February 7, 2026February 5, 2026carlocarrasco

This year will mark the 28^th anniversary of Parañaque’s status as a city and recently a Malacañang declared February 13, 2026 a special non-working day in connection with it. Check out the copy of the official document below sourced from the Facebook page of Congressman Brian Yamsuan.

*Proclamation Number 1158 declared February 13, 2026 a special non-working day in Parañaque City.*

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, do you believe the city is truly progressive or is still in need of vast improvements in terms of infrastructure, public services and flood control? Do you often attend the so-called special events held during the week of the cityhood in Parañaque? Do you consider Parañaque a hot spot of criminal activities involving Chinese nationals?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Japanese Embassy In Manila Confirms Unprecedented Surge Of Filipinos Who Applied For Visas

January 31, 2026January 30, 2026carlocarrasco

For Filipinos who want to visit Japan, a visa is often required which is something I can relate with. In recent times, there has been this lack of available slots for visa appointments and the Japanese embassy in Manila confirmed that there is an unprecedented surge of Filipino visa applicants, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…

Japan’s embassy in Manila is aware of the lack of available slots for visa appointments at its application centers and issued its response on the matter.

In a statement sent to the Manila Bulletin, the embassy cited the surge of Filipinos expressing interest in going to Japan.

Except during the surge of Covid-19 pandemic, the embassy said, Filipino visa applicants reached ”unprecedented levels.”

”The number of short-stay visas issued surged more than sixfold (6.15 times) over the decade from 2013 (73,143) to 2023 (450,087), and increased further to 490,907 in 2024,” it said.

According to the embassy, this prompted them to make significant changes in their visa processing system.

”In response to the increasing demand, the visa processing system underwent a fundamental overhaul starting April 2025 to maintain proper screening quality and streamline the process, transitioning to a Visa Application Center system,” it said.

”Furthermore, the introduction of the e-VISA began last December for visas issued to tourists in package tours organized by designated travel agencies,” it added.

The embassy acknowledged that people-to-people exchanges form the foundation of Philippines-Japan relations, and the embassy “welcomes our Filipino friends’ growing interest in visiting Japan, with the number of Filipino visitors reaching a record high of 880,000 in 2025.”

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Have you already applied for a visa to visit Japan over the past twelve months? How many people do you personally know want to visit Japan? If you intend to visit Japan soon, have you started finding out what the requirements are for application?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Philippines 2025 GDP Growth Lands At 4.4%

January 30, 2026January 29, 2026carlocarrasco

After much anticipation, the full gross domestic product (GDP) growth of the Philippines registered final pace of 4.4% for the whole year of 2025, according to a Manila Standard business news report.

For insight, the 4.4% 2025 GDP growth is even lower than what others anticipated (click here and here). It should be recalled that GDP growth in the 3^rd and 4^th quarters of last year showed clear signs of economic weakness. The said weakness is connected with the flood control corruption scandal that rocked the nation.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of Manila Standard. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippine economy expanded 4.4 percent in 2025 as a sharp slowdown in the final three months of the year dragged down the annual performance, government data showed on Thursday.

The gross domestic product grew 3.0 percent in the fourth quarter, marking the weakest quarterly expansion in five years. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said the industrial sector contracted by 0.9 percent during the period, while gross capital formation, a measure of investment, tumbled 10.9 percent.

Wholesale and retail trade, financial activities and public administration remained the primary drivers of growth during the October to December period.

Public administration and defense led the gains with a 7.9 percent increase, followed by financial and insurance activities at 5.6 percent and trade at 4.6 percent.

For the full year, the services sector led the economy with a 5.9-percent expansion, while agriculture, forestry and fishing grew 3.1 percent. The industrial sector recorded a modest 1.5 percent increase for all of 2025.

Consumer spending, which traditionally anchors the Philippine economy, rose 3.8 percent in the fourth quarter and 4.6 percent for the full year. Government spending saw a significant annual jump of 9.1 percent despite the year-end cooling.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the economy of the Philippines will be able to bounce back strongly this year and achieve 5% growth later? Do you think the reforms being implemented by the national government will create positive economic results soon? Are you convinced that the flood control corruption scandal turned off a lot of foreign investors?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Japan Warns Philippines About Right-Of-Way Hurdles Related To Infrastructure Projects

January 29, 2026January 26, 2026carlocarrasco

For many years already, the Philippines has infrastructure projects in development with the support of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) which executes the official development assistance (ODA). The right-of-way challenges, however, are putting the projects at risk and Japan has alerted the government of the Philippines about it, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…

The Japanese government’s lead development agency said that right-of-way (ROW) hurdles, rather than the tightening Philippine fiscal envelope, pose the primary risk to the completion of multibillion-peso infrastructure flagship projects.

Takashi Baba, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) chief representative in the Philippines, said that while budget reductions are sovereign prerogative, the legal obligations of bilateral agreements necessitate that Manila provides sufficient funding for land acquisition

“At this moment, we do not see any kind of delay because of the delay of the budget, but the delay of the ROW, [and] the process,” JICA Philippines chief representative Takashi Baba told Manila Bulletin last Thursday, Jan. 22.

He noted, however, that delays in ROW acquisition have already had an impact on project implementation.

“We already observed the kind of delay of the progress of the project itself. That’s why we are carefully monitoring the progress,” Baba added.

The assurance comes as the Marcos administration navigates a tighter fiscal landscape. The national government reduced unprogrammed appropriations in the 2026 budget to ₱150.9 billion, the lowest level of standby funding since 2019.

The contraction in the budget’s “standby” category directly affects the accounting of projects like the Metro Manila Subway and the North-South Commuter Railway, which rely heavily on Official Development Assistance (ODA) under JICA.

Baba added that the budget cut in the Philippines should be respected, noting that it reflects a sovereign decision.

“It should be respected,” he said, adding that the move represents “the GOP [government of the Philippines] or the government or the Philippine people’s decision in general.”

However, Baba emphasized that under the legal requirements of bilateral agreements, “the necessary budget should be allocated by the Philippine government,” particularly for ROW financing.

“When we look at the current GAA [General Appropriations Act], we notice that it’s not sufficient to cover everything like necessary budget, [the] necessary amount should be prepared by the Philippine government,” he added, noting that they are closely monitoring the situation.

Baba also highlighted that executive agencies may face difficulties in securing sufficient funding by the middle of the year, raising concerns that funding shortfalls could lead to delays in project implementation.

He said JICA is closely coordinating with the Philippine government to secure additional funding in line with agreements between the two countries.

“We are closely monitoring and also we are keeping good relationship and discussion with the Philippine government to secure another budget to cover the necessary one, which in accordance with agreed between the two countries,” Baba said.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the right-of-way issues will delay the completion of the multi-billion Peso infrastructure projects that are supported by the Japanese? What should the national government of the Philippines do to resolve right-of-way issues?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Estonian Vlogger Arrested In Dumaguete City

January 20, 2026January 18, 2026carlocarrasco

Over in Dumaguete City, an Estonian Vlogger who runs the YouTube channel Pro Life Traveler was apprehended by operatives of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) for allegedly harassing Filipinos and causing other forms of disturbance (example: asking inappropriate questions to underage women), the authorities announced online. The arrest was done in coordination with the local Philippine National Police (PNP) officers and barangay officials.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has arrested and moved to deport an Estonian vlogger, declaring that the Philippines will no longer tolerate foreign content creators who harass locals, provoke public outrage, and turn Filipino communities into viral spectacle.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the case echoes the infamous deportation of Russian vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy, calling it a repeat pattern of foreign vloggers abusing the country’s openness for shock content and online fame. The arrest, according to Viado, is in line with President Ferdinand ‘Bong Bong’ Marcos, Jr.’s directive to ensure that foreign nationals who fail to follow Philippine laws face appropriate sanctions.

“This is another Vitaly case — different person, same behavior,” Viado said. “A foreign vlogger comes here, disrespects Filipinos, violates our laws, and thinks he can hide behind a camera and a social media following. That ends here,” he stressed firmly.

Viado said authorities acted after local officials in Negros Oriental declared the vlogger persona non grata, citing complaints of harassment, unauthorized filming, offensive remarks, and online content that demeaned Filipinos. The city council resolution was endorsed to national agencies, triggering enforcement action and the foreigner’s arrest.

The Estonian vlogger, identified as Siim Roosipuu, 34, was arrested by BI intelligence operatives and anti-terrorist group on January 15, in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP) Dumaguete City Police Station and Barangay Cantil-e officials.

Roosipuu ran a YouTube channel called ‘Pro Life Traveler’, and allegedly harasses Filipinos, including minors. Videos of him chasing and asking inappropriate questions to underage women circulated on social media.

“The Philippines is not a content playground,” Viado said. “We welcome tourists and legitimate creators, but anyone who exploits our people for views, clicks, or profit will face arrest, deportation, and blacklisting,” he stated.

The BI stressed that harassment, public disturbance, and disrespect — whether done for entertainment or monetized online — are serious violations that will not be excused under the guise of vlogging.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Have you seen the videos of the YouTube channel of the apprehended Estonian vlogger? Do you think the comparisons with the deported Russian live streamer Vitaly Zdorovetskiy were fair? Do you think more foreign vloggers and live streamers will still come here in the Philippines and cause disturbances for the sake of online mileage?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Russian Live Streamer Deported

January 19, 2026January 18, 2026carlocarrasco

Vitaly Zdorovetskiy, the Russian vlogger and live streamer who caused disturbances here in the Philippines, was deported to Russia by the local authorities, according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

For my previous blog posts about Vitaly Zdorovetskiy, click here, here, here and here.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Sunday confirmed that Russian vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy had been deported to Russia.

In a statement, the BI said Zdorovetskiy boarded an IrAero flight bound directly for Irkutsk on Saturday.

The BI’s Board of Commissioners ordered his deportation on Dec. 17 after declaring him an undesirable alien.

The deportation order stemmed from various complaints against the 33-year-old Zdorovetskiy, who had harassed and disrespected several Filipinos. He also disrupted public peace and safety and committed acts deemed contrary to morals, good customs and public policy.

He was first arrested in April last year.

Known for posting prank videos on social media, the Russian vlogger was seen in recordings harassing a security guard, shouting expletives at a Filipino woman wearing face mask, stealing a heavy-duty electric fan, and taking a tricycle that later crashed into a parked jeepney.

During inquest proceedings, he admitted to the acts of harassment and was subsequently detained at the BI Warden’s Facility inside Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig.

He applied for bail but was denied by the bureau.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Were you able to personally witness Vitaly Zdorovetskiy’s pranks and disturbing acts here in the Philippines? Do you think the deportation will send a strong message to IRL streamers and other liver streamers overseas that the Philippines will not tolerate their acts of disrespect and public nuisance?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Philippines To Tackle Plastic Pollution With Nuclear Technology

December 7, 2025November 29, 2025carlocarrasco

During his recent address at a high-profile forum in Pasay City, Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., stated that the nation will use nuclear technology to deal with plastic pollution and it will involve foreign partners, according to a news article published by Nuclear Engineering International.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of Nuclear Engineering International. Some parts in boldface…

Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has said the Philippines is committed to partnering with international organisations to tackle plastic pollution using nuclear technology. He was addressing the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) International High-Level Forum on the Nuclear Technology for Controlling Plastic Pollution (NUTEC Plastics) in Pasay City.

“It affects biodiversity, public health, supply chains, and the lives of our coastal and urban communities. Addressing it requires going beyond regulation and advocacy. It requires technology that is credible, scalable, grounded in rigorous science,” he said.

“And that is why the Philippines is proud to champion the NUTEC Plastics Initiative of the IAEA. NUTEC Plastics embodies the kind of innovation that we need – solutions that merge advanced nuclear applications with environmental protection, to translate scientific progress into tangible benefits for industry and for society.”

Marcos said the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute of the Department of Science & Technology, together with the Industrial Technology Development Institute and industry partner Envirotech, had developed a new process that transforms low-value plastic wastes into durable, commercially viable materials under the Post-Radiation Reactive Extrusion of Plastic Wastes Project (PREx).

“The PREx Prototype House stands today as a tangible output of this initiative. But beyond a demonstration of breakthrough nuclear technology, it is a prototype of the future circular economy,” he added. Radiation technology enhances polymer properties, reduces material degradation, and creates new industrial uses for plastics, Marcos said.

He also referred to the marine microplastics monitoring laboratory established with the IAEA at the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute. The laboratory equips Filipino researchers with the tools to quantify microplastics pollution with scientific precision. “Data generated here informs global models, strengthens policy interventions, and helps us track the real-time impact of plastics on marine ecosystems,” he added.

He said the Philippines was committed to building networks with regulators, scientists, investors and community stakeholders, as the Republic Act 12305 (Philippine Nuclear Law) signed in September.

This establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework covering nuclear safety, security, safeguards and the peaceful applications of nuclear technology.

“Our engagement with the IAEA and our support for science-based responses to plastic pollution reflect that same conviction: that durable progress comes not from acting alone, but from strengthening the international system that makes such cooperation possible,” Marcos said.

IAEA launched the NUTEC Plastics initiative in 2021 to help countries use nuclear science to monitor and reduce plastic pollution. The programme now supports more than 100 member states, including the Philippines, in tracking microplastics in coastal areas, identifying different types of plastics, and applying reliable, cost-effective laboratory methods based on harmonised global protocols. It also trains scientists and promotes radiation technologies that turn low-value plastic waste into useful materials.

The role of nuclear science and technology in helping countries tackle the global challenge of plastic pollution is the focus of a major IAEA event that opened on Tuesday in Manila. The International High Level Forum on NUTEC Plastics will showcase concrete results achieved by this flagship initiative launched by the IAEA in 2020.

Addressing the NUTEC Plastics Forum, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said: “Looking at plastic pollution from the atomic level allows us to understand microplastic pollution and its movements through marine ecosystems, which supports well-informed policy decisions to deal with it. And by using irradiation we can reduce the amount of plastic waste by turning it into valuable products like building materials.”

Masato Kanda, President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) told the forum’s opening session that, in the Philippines, ADB is planning a $1bn programme to develop a sustainable and resilient blue economy. “Complementing this, we are harnessing digital solutions to simulate the flow of plastic pollution in the Pasig River to help rejuvenate this important waterway. We are also deepening our collaboration with the IAEA across the board: from food security to energy transition.”

NUTEC Plastics presently works with 53 countries to improve plastic recycling and develop bio-based plastics, and with 102 countries to monitor marine microplastic pollution. Every day, the equivalent of 2000 garbage trucks full of plastic are dumped into the world’s oceans, rivers and lakes. Every year, 19-23m tonnes of plastic waste leaks into waterways, disrupting habitats and livelihoods. Since plastic is not biodegradable, it breaks down into ever smaller fragments, which eventually degrade into microplastics. Microplastics can easily infiltrate into ecosystems and the food chain through water, air and soil.

Radiation can transform plastic waste into durable, high value materials and products. It can also create biodegradable bio-based plastics as an alternative to conventional petroleum-based plastics. To date, eight countries have NUTEC upcycling projects underway in cooperation with commercial partners. Argentina, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines are at the forefront in demonstrating the feasibility of using irradiation to recycle plastic waste to produce construction materials, industrial additives, railway ties and other durable products. These countries have already tested prototype processes and are moving toward pilot-scale industrial production.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? By having many foreign partners, are you convinced the Philippines will be able to end its plastic pollution crisis using nuclear technology and other related solutions?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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IAEA Director General Says Philippines Is At The Right Moment For Push To Nuclear Energy

December 3, 2025November 26, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) visited the Philippines, met with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., and revealed to the press that the nation is at the right moment to start the push for nuclear energy, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippines is at the “right moment” to begin pushing for nuclear energy use amid its aim to achieve energy security and reduce its reliance on fossil fuels like coal, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said.

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi made this remark during the International High Level Forum on Nuclear Technology (NUTEC) Plastics in Pasay City on Tuesday, Nov. 25.

He underscored that the Philippines is not new to nuclear power.

“Let’s go a little bit back in history. Your country was a pioneer long, long, long before any other countries in this region and in the world were looking at nuclear energy. But the reality is that I like to say that the Philippines is not a newcomer, it’s a revisiting country,” he said in a press conference.

“It’s a country that is reviewing, taking into account its technological capacities, what was being done here in the late 70s, early 80s, and considering that it is perhaps the right moment, as many other countries in the world, to avail itself of a notion of a clean energy that is providing solutions in many parts of the world. Why not here?,” he added.

The Philippines, during the time of former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr., once attempted to build a nuclear power plant in Bataan. While it was completed, it was never operated because of safety concerns, political issues, and corruption allegations.

Grossi said that what the Philippines is doing today with its nuclear energy push is “extremely important,” adding that small- or big-sized nuclear projects are significant and require initial capital investment.

He also noted that banks and international financial institutions in the past have turned their backs on nuclear power plants because of their “bad image.”

“But with passage of time and the safety record of nuclear and the ability to demonstrate by the industry that banks are a conservative, of course, in what they finance, there has been an important change which was initiated earlier this year when I signed with the president of the World Bank a similar agreement,” he shared.

“So, when the World Bank sent this, you know how it happens in the economy in general, when they sign from the leading institutions, the leading financing institutions in the world that there is no problem, basically, there is really no problem, no technical problem, no fundamental problem in financing nuclear,” he added.

The IAEA director pointed out that with China, India, and Pakistan, Asia “and in particular this region, is the most dynamic in terms of nuclear growth in the world.”

Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, and Indonesia, he cited, are also starting their own nuclear programs, as well as African countries that need grants and loans for their own nuclear push.

“People talk about the exponential growth of renewable energy, which is a very good thing, I must say. I am very positive about renewable energies,” Grossi asserted, lamenting the lack of subsidies and access to finance in the past.

“So, I believe that we are entering now a new phase. We will see how far it goes, we will see how fast it goes, but it is clearly, in my opinion, a watershed that has happened. Very important. So, it’s a very good day in that sense,” he added.

The IAEA official also met with President Marcos on Tuesday during a courtesy call at Malacañan Palace.

Grossi, who assumed office in 2019, is on his first official visit to the Philippines for the International High-Level Forum on Nuclear Technology for Controlling Plastic Pollution (NUTEC Plastics): Scaling Solutions and Partnerships for Global Impact.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Are you convinced that the Philippines is ready to move forward by using nuclear power for the nation’s energy requirements?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Investors’ Interest In Nuclear Energy In The Philippines Remains Strong

November 30, 2025November 24, 2025carlocarrasco

The future of a nuclear-powered Philippines remains achievable as the Department of Energy (DOE) confirmed that investors are strongly interested in nuclear energy in the country, according to a BusinessWorld news report.

For the newcomers reading this, more Filipinos expressed through a survey their preference for nuclear power for electricity, PhilATOM was signed into law by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, and Meralco is preparing its bid for a nuclear power license.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of BusinessWorld. Some parts in boldface…

INVESTORS are still keen on developing nuclear energy projects in the Philippines, the Department of Energy (DoE) said, as the government prepares to start accepting applications next year.

Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin said there is significant investor interest in nuclear energy projects in the Philippines, as some companies have already presented their ideas.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Ms. Garin said companies want to go into nuclear energy as they see it as a possible solution to serve baseload capacity and to cater to the increasing demand from data centers.

“They’re very interested and are waiting for us to finalize the site selection and site evaluation,” she said in mixed Filipino and English.

The DoE plans to begin accepting applications for nuclear energy projects by 2026 as part of efforts to integrate nuclear power into the country’s energy mix by 2032.

Under the Philippine Energy Plan, the country aims to integrate nuclear energy into the power mix with at least 1,200 megawatts (MW) of capacity by 2032, increasing it to 2,400 MW by 2045 and to 4,800 MW by 2050.

“I understand, the companies are waiting for us to guide them on which are the areas that are more feasible. But some companies have already approached DoE to enter into a memorandum of agreement, non-exclusive, to explore the possible nuclear power plant development,” Ms. Garin said.

She said some energy firms have expressed interest in nuclear energy development such as power distributor Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) and power generation firm Aboitiz Power Corp.

In a separate interview, Meralco Executive Vice-President Chief Operating Officer Ronnie L. Aperocho said that the company waiting to see the ongoing development of Romania’s first small modular reactor before proceeding on its own.

“There is a requirement from PhilATOM (Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority) that the first-of-its-kind technology must run of at least about two years without any incidents before we can adopt it here in the Philippines. So, we have to go through that two-year requirement,” he said in mixed Filipino and English.

In September, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. signed Republic Act No. 12305, the Philippine National Nuclear Energy Safety Act, which created PhilATOM.

PhilATOM is an independent quasi-judicial body tasked with overseeing all nuclear and radiation activities in the country. Under the law, PhilATOM will hold sole and exclusive jurisdiction over the regulation of nuclear energy and radiation sources in the Philippines, ensuring their peaceful, safe and secure use.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think nuclear power in the Philippines will become a reality over the next several years?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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