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Philippines, Saskatchewan advance joint action plan on clean energy cooperation and nuclear workforce development
Date published: Feb 25 2026 11:30 AM
MEDIA RELEASE
25 February 2026
Philippines, Saskatchewan advance joint action plan on clean energy cooperation and nuclear workforce development
The Philippines, through the Department of Energy (DOE), and the Province of Saskatchewan, Canada convened yesterday, 24 February 2026, a Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting to advance implementation of their June 2025 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and align priority cooperation areas on clean energy transition and nuclear workforce development.
The JWG meeting, held at DOE office in Bonifacio Global City, was attended by Minister Ken Cheveldayoff of the Ministry of Advanced Education in Saskatchewan, Canada and co-chaired by Energy Undersecretary Mario C. Marasigan, representing Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin. Other key attendees included Engr. Ashier Calulot of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Dr. Alvie Astronomo of the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), Dr. Edgar Vallar of the De La Salle University, Dr. Aldrin Calderon of Mapua University, and officials from various Canadian universities. Discussions focused on collaboration in technology development and deployment, workforce and skills development, and research and innovation, anchored on the goal of supporting a secure and inclusive energy transition.
The June 2025 MOU provides the framework for cooperation across priority areas, including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), carbon capture, smart grids, renewable energy integration, and the repurposing of aging coal assets, while emphasizing stakeholder engagement and social acceptability.
“The Joint Working Group meeting allows us to move from shared intentions to coordinated actions,” Undersecretary Marasigan said. “Our priority is to ensure that the Philippines’ transition is supported by capable institutions, a prepared workforce, and sustained engagement with communities, including Indigenous peoples.”
As a key outcome of the meeting, the JWG advanced workforce and education initiatives aimed at strengthening Philippine capabilities for emerging clean energy sectors and the nuclear program. These include:
- Formation of a joint task force to support the development of localized Nuclear Engineering and Safety Management curricula, in coordination with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and relevant Saskatchewan institutions;
- Implementation of specialized Train-the-Trainer programs for Philippine educators on advanced clean energy topics, alongside potential technical-vocational cooperation with Saskatchewan Polytechnic; and
- Continued coordination with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) on micro-credentialing and skilled worker development aligned with nuclear and clean energy needs.
On the technical track, the JWG discussed potential cooperation on studies that can support evidence-based planning for emerging technologies and system reliability. These include exploring joint research opportunities related to SMR and microreactor feasibility for possible applications in Philippine Island grids, as well as technical exchanges on approaches to the early retirement and repurposing of aging coal plants, including assessment of requirements should sites be considered for future energy infrastructure uses.
“A nuclear program is only as strong as the people and institutions behind it. This cooperation with Saskatchewan helps us build the skills pipeline and academic partnerships we need from engineering and safety management to technical training and micro-credentials while reinforcing the standards and public engagement required for responsible energy development,” Secretary Garin said.
For his part, Minister Cheveldayoff underscored the importance of human capital in energy transition efforts. “A skilled workforce is essential for long-term sustainability,” he said, citing Saskatchewan’s post-secondary institutions including the University of Saskatchewan, the University of Regina, and Saskatchewan Polytechnic, and noting the role of the Global Institute for Energy, Minerals and Society (GIEMS) in supporting collaboration among academia, government, industry, and Indigenous groups. GIEMS is a collaborative, not-for-profit research institution in Saskatchewan, formed by these three major post-secondary institutions to advance innovation and research in the energy and mining sectors.
The DOE noted that the Saskatchewan partnership complements other international engagements supporting Philippine workforce and institutional readiness for emerging clean energy sectors, including recent education and training cooperation initiatives for the civil nuclear industry.
Just last week, the Philippines engaged other international partners to strengthen workforce readiness for the nuclear energy program. On 16 February 2026, the DOE highlighted that senior official from the Philippines and the United States, together with private sector representatives, signed an MOU to support specialized vocational and higher education pathways for the civil nuclear industry, including partnerships involving the Philippine-American Educational Foundation and TESDA, and cooperation with industry stakeholders.
The DOE and Saskatchewan agreed to continue coordination through the JWG and to identify priority deliverables and timelines for the next phase of cooperation. ###