By Vanne Elaine P. Terrazola
The Philippines could benefit from the various use of nuclear technology, including fighting cancer, according to Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III.
Pimentel has called for greater use of nuclear technology in the country while in Europe to study the peaceful uses of nuclear technology with the International Atomic Energy Agency, which has briefed him and Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Energy, Department of Energy Undersecretary Donato Marcos, and Philippine Nuclear Research Institute director Dr. Carlo Arcilla, on nuclear legislation in other countries.
“Nuclear technology is associated with images of widespread destruction, but it is also a very powerful tool for progress that the Philippines should learn how to utilize for our own benefit,” Pimentel said.
Pimentel said nuclear technology can be used “not just to generate electricity, but also for pest control, food and environment protection, plant breeding and genetics, soil and water management, animal protection and health, and dosimetry or fighting cancer.”
