PNRI: PHL still safe from radiation despite highest severity level in Japan

The Philippines remains safe from radioactive materials despite the hoisting of the highest severity level in Japan’s quake-damaged nuclear power plant in Fukushima, the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute said Wednesday. PNRI Deputy Director Corazon Bernido said the effect of the Japan nuclear crisis remains "insignificant" as the radiation levels in the country “are steadily going down" in the past few days. "The impact of radiation from Japan to the Philippines remains insignificant as it has been from the beginning," she said at a press briefing, adding that the situation has not worsened despite the raising of the crisis level around the nuclear power plant in Japan from 5 to 7. "The situation in Japan has not changed... In fact, it is slowly getting better… We think the worst is past," she said. "Magwo-worsen lang ang situation kung ititigil ang pag-cool ng power plant. As long as they keep cooling it, it will be okay." Japanese nuclear regulators raised the level of the nuclear crisis in the power plant to "major accident"— the highest level in the International Atomic Energy Agency scale. Japan is still attempting to regain control of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant after a massive earthquake and tsunami which devastated its northeast on March 11. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced Tuesday that it already has repatriation policies in place for the almost 2,000 Filipinos living near the quake-crippled power plant. — LBG, GMA News