Since the United States and the Philippines signed the Agreement for Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy—commonly known as a “123 Agreement”—our governments have worked closely to support the Philippines as it moves to integrate nuclear power into its energy mix by 2032.  Multiple U.S. agencies, including the Department of State, U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), Department of Energy, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and Department of Commerce, are collaborating with their Philippine counterparts to strengthen regulatory frameworks, expand commercial partnerships, and build a skilled nuclear workforce. 

On February 16, 2026, the United States announced several new initiatives to advance the Trump Administration’s goal of exporting cutting-edge American nuclear technologies to U.S. allies while deepening strategic partnerships through the use of safe, secure, and safeguarded nuclear energy technologies. These initiatives pave the way to enhance Philippines’ energy security, grow its industrial strengths, and meet emerging tech competitiveness goals, like powering and harnessing AI. Initiatives include:

• SMR Feasibility Study:  USTDA will fund a $2.7 million feasibility study to help Meralco assess and deploy U.S.-designed small modular reactors (SMRs) in the Philippines.  This study will evaluate leading U.S. technologies, identify viable sites, and deliver a high-level implementation roadmap. When finalized, this work will provide a pathway for the deployment of safe and secure advanced U.S. nuclear technologies that will deepen ties between our two countries for decades to come.

• Nuclear Reactor Control Room Simulator:  The simulator, provided by the State Department’s Foundational Infrastructure for Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology (FIRST) Program, is based on an advanced U.S. SMR design and positions Philippines to be an SMR regional training hub. Installed at a technical institution within the Luzon Economic Corridor, it will provide hands-on, realistic training for future reactor operators and technicians to practice plant operations, safety procedures, and emergency scenarios that create a qualified nuclear workforce, strengthen safety culture, and accelerate readiness for SMR deployment.

• A Public-Private Partnership to Support Workforce Development:  Supported by AboitizPower, EōS Organization, TESDA, and the U.S. Department of State, and led by Fulbright Philippines, a new fund has been established to bring U.S. nuclear experts to the Philippines to develop specialized vocational and higher education curricula focused on the civil nuclear industry.

• Nuclear Technology Trade Mission:  This USTDA-funded reverse trade mission will bring 10-15 Philippine private sector and government officials to the United States for a firsthand look at cutting-edge American reactors, supply chains, and training facilities to build partnerships that facilitate the deployment of trusted U.S. civil nuclear technology to critical infrastructure in the Philippines.

• Study Tour for Philippine Legislators:  In 2026, representatives from the Philippines’ Senate and House of Representatives will travel to the United States under FIRST program cooperation to gain firsthand insights into the technologies, policies, regulatory frameworks, and institutions that enabled the development of a safe, secure, and successful U.S. civil nuclear sector.

• New Academic Partnerships and Workforce Development Programing:  New funding through the FIRST program will establish partnerships between Philippine universities and Texas A&M University and King’s College London to support the development and integration of new SMR curricula into engineering programs in the Philippines.  The project will connect professors and senior academics from Philippines to their U.S. and UK counterparts.