The Role of Radiation Regulatory Agencies of the Republic of the Philippines in the Education and Training of Workers Occupationally Exposed to Radiation

摘要

In the Republic of the Philippines, there are two national radiation regulatory agencies. One is thePhilippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) which has the regulatory mandate over radioactive materials. Theother one is the Bureau of Health Devices and Technology (BHDT) which has the regulatory mandate overradiation devices. Since a major requirement in regulating use of radiation sources is the appropriate qualificationof the workers occupationally exposed to radiation, the paper discusses the strategies and activities of these twoagencies to ensure that these workers have the necessary education and training to do their work properly. Someof these are the conduct of training courses in cooperation with the relevant professional societies, conduct ofdistance aided training in cooperation with the IAEA, initiation and active involvement in the establishment andcontinued existence of the masteral degree program in medical physics which was established with IAEAtechnical assistance, assistance to lawmakers in drafting pertinent legislation, and creation of joint technicalworking groups to ensure harmonization of standards and regulations, among others. The Philippines has adopteda national policy that users of radiation and radioactive materials have the primary responsibility for radiationsafety. The PNRI and the BHDT have adopted strategies which have been very useful in the effectiveimplementation of their regulations.