A two-day stakeholder’s consultation for the conduct of a feasibility study on the establishment of a research reactor was held at the Waterfront Insular Hotel, Davao City last March 31 to April 1, 2016.
This initiative is part of the ongoing feasibility study of AspireTech Corporation on the establishment of a research reactor in the Philippines. The aforementioned company was commissioned by the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) as the project’s implementing agency, in collaboration with the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) as the project’s executing agency.
The consultation presented the objectives of the project as well as the application of a research reactor in the different sectors in the society. This was followed by discussions with the key stakeholders in the city which involves the academe, hospitals, researchers, students and barangay officials. Members from the member-institutions of the consortium also participated during the activity.
The first day focuses on introducing the research reactor and its applications particularly in the field of medicine by Dr. Emerenciana B. Duran, project’s team leader, education and research by Ms. Alvie Asuncion-Astonomo of Nuclear Training Center-PNRI, and industry by Ms. Elvira Sombrito, project’s coordinator. This was followed by an open forum and focus group discussions per sector.
During the second day, a meeting was made with the barangay officials in the city. The officials suggested that it is important to disseminate the information especially in citing the difference between a nuclear reactor and a research reactor. Furthermore, they hope to have a better understanding about this project as there was only a limited time to discuss.
The consultation is just the first step. Nevertheless, Ms. Elvira in behalf of the project’s team is thankful with the interest showed by the participants.
