Annual Report 1984

As a regulatory body, PAEC was primarily involved in activities related to the safe operation of PNPP-1. Major activities were: Continuing inspection activities on on-going construction and start-up tests, an evaluation of the physical security system in PNPP-1 and the establishment of a Philippine system of accounting for and control of nuclear materials. A preliminary draft of the evaluation report of the PNPP-1 Final Safety Analysis Report was made. In relation to this, a team of PAEC technical personnel was sent to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission in Washington, D.C. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) also assisted the PAEC thru a team of experts for the pre-operational safety analysis review of the PNPP-1. The PAEC was further strengthened for its regulatory responsibilities with the creation of a Board of Commissioners under the Executive Order No. 980. Continuing studies are being conducted to support the PAEC regulatory function, such as natural radioactivity measurements, behavior of tritium in different ecosystems and the determination of specific radionuclides in the Filipino biological system. To prepare for the expected operation of the PNPP-1, a multi-agency team consisting of the PAEC, the Office of Civil Defense, concerned ministries, and the National Power Corporation have prepared the Emergency Response Plans. A total of 47 R & D projects were undertaken during the year. In Agriculture, studies on the reproductive characteristics of the local carabao showed that carabao reproduction can be improved if the- proper timing for insemination could be done. Through the radioimmunoassay technique, hormonal patterns of the carabao were revealed, facilitating improved breeding through timely insemination. In health-related studies, promising results were seen in the field studies in Sorsogon on the control of Onaomelania quadrasi snails (host of schistosomiasis) using the sterile-male technique.