Annual Report. Fiscal Year 1974-1975

Fiscal Year 1974-75 has been most propitious to the Philippine Atomic Energy Corimiosion. The Commission, by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 606, was transferred from the National Science Development Board to the Office of the President. Ths decree was signed by His Excellency President Ferdinand E. Marcos on December 13, 1974 during the c' coming ceremonies of the 2nd Atomic Energy Week to be implemented immediately and effectively as of 1 July 1974. The event unfolded exactly 17 years and six months to the day since the Commission was created as an organic agency of the Nadase under R.A, No. 2607, otherwise known as the Science Act of 1958. The significance that can be read into this event are myriad but rather than stretch the imagination trying to conjure a montage, it is sufficient to draw the conclusion -hat the event demonstrated the sincerity and speed with which the Government under the New Society carries out beneficial changes and reforms. The year found the country accepting the role of atomic energy as c source of power as it felt the grinding effects of the worldwide energy crisis. This development led to the increased use of atomic energy and the drawing up cf a nuclear power development program. As a result. of these stepped-up activities the Commission's responsibilities were compounded and its function expanded. More so when P.D. 606 went into force because the Commission was charged with additional functions such as giving grants-in-aid for nuclear research and encouraging the exploration for uranium and other nuclear materials, among many others. These were thrust into the Commission, however, with the appropriate and attendant recompense. Salaries of its employees were upgraded. The transfer took effect at the same time that the reorganization of the Commission was also being implemented.