Revised Philippine action plan for the safety and security of radioactive sources

Radioactive sources are used in many fields of peaceful applications and continue to benefit human society in many different ways. Although radioactive sources are generally managed safely and securely and that they bring benefits to our people, accidents involving radioactive sources have occurred in a number of countries, some with serious - even fatal - consequences. Starting from the Philippine participation in the International Conference on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Materials held in Dijon, France in 1998 , the Buenos Aires Conference in 2001 and until recently, the Hofburg Conference, a Philippine Action Plan for the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources was formulated and later revised by the PNRI following the guidance contained in the revised IAEA Code of Conduct for the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources. This action plan is currently being implemented as an integral part of our national effort to enhance and strengthen the safety and security of radioactive sources under the regulatory control of the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute. The Philippines, through an official communication in February 2004 addressed to the IAEA Director General, expressed a non binding political commitment and stated among others, that it fully supports and endorses the IAEA's efforts to enhance the safety and security of radioactive sources and that it is working towards this end following the guidance contained in the revised Code. The paper describes our past and current initiatives to ensure that radioactive sources are used within an appropriate framework of radiation safety and security and in accordance with the principles contained in the Revised IAEA Code of Conduct for the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources. (author)