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Philippine Space Agency

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Philippine Space Agency
PhilSA Logo
Agency overview
AbbreviationPhilSA
FormedAugust 8, 2019; 5 years ago (2019-08-08)
TypeSpace agency
HeadquartersQuezon City, Philippines (de facto)
New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac, Philippines (de jure)
AdministratorJoel Marciano Jr., Director-General
Primary spaceportNone
OwnerOffice of the President
Employees50 (July 2021)[1]
Annual budget₱313.72 million (2021)[2]
Websitephilsa.gov.ph

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) is the national space agency of the Philippines.

The unified space agency is defined by the Philippine Space Act (Republic Act No. 11363) which was signed into law on August 8, 2019, by President Rodrigo Duterte,[3] intended to manage and operate the decentralized space program of the Philippine government, which was handled by various agencies of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

History

Background

Further information: Philippine space program

Prior to the creation of the agency, the Philippine space program had two primary challenges:

  1. insufficient funding; and
  2. lack of a centralized agency to manage the space program.[4]

In the absence of a formal space agency, the DOST funded the National Space Development Program to set up the foundations of a future space agency.[5] Several government agencies under the DOST had previously maintained the country's space program; namely the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA), and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).[6][7][8] The DOST and the Manila Observatory crafted a 10-year masterplan in 2012 to make the Philippines a "space-capable country" by 2022.[9] The scientists involved in the program's planning gave the media a copy of a draft bill written by Deocaris which they submitted to AGHAM Partylist Rep. Angelo Palmones of the 15th Congress (July 26, 2010 – June 6, 2013) for the enactment of what is to be known the "Philippine Space Act of 2012" (House Bill No. 6725).[10]

In 2014, the country started a micro-satellite program where local engineers developed and produced the Diwata-1, Diwata-2 and Maya-1, which were all subsequently launched into space via foreign facilities. All three satellites were a success.

Legislative history

The Philippine Space Agency was proposed to be established through legislation particularly through the 17th Congress (July 25, 2016 – June 4, 2019)'s "Philippine Space Act of 2016" (House Bill No. 3637)[11] and "Philippine Space Act" (Senate Bill No. 1211).[12] On November 27, 2018, The House of Representatives passed the alternative bill, the "Philippine Space Development Act" (HB No. 8541),[13] on the 2nd reading. "The bill also provides for a Philippine Space Development and Utilization Policy (PSDUP) that shall serve as the country’s primary strategic roadmap for space development and embody the country’s central goal of becoming a space-capable and space-faring nation in the next decade."[14] DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Peña was in favor HB 8541.[15]

In December 2018, HB 8541 was approved on the third and final reading with 207 affirmative votes with no votes against or abstentions. Under the bill, the agency was to be attached to the DOST. The bill also creates the Philippine Space Development Fund to be used exclusively for its operation. The astronomical space-related functions of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and DOST will also be transferred to the Philippine Space Agency, under the bill.[16]

The "Philippine Space Act" (Senate Bill No. 1983) was passed with 18 senators approving for the proposed legislation's passage with no negative votes in May 2019,[17] hence dedicating ₱1bil from the current fiscal year's appropriation with subsequent funding from the General Appropriations Act, plus an additional ₱1bil from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) with ₱2bil released annually.[18] The Bicameral Committee ratified HB 8541 on June 4, 2019, placing the space agency under the Office of the President. The proposed legislation (a harmonization of HB 8541 & SBN 1983) was due for signing into law by President Rodrigo Duterte.[19] The Senate info-page for Senate Bill 1983 reports presentation of the harmonized bill to the Presidential Malacañang Palace on July 9, 2019.[20]

Formation

Duterte signed the "Philippine Space Act" (RA 11363) on August 8, 2019, and a copy was released to reporters on August 13.

In signing the new law, Duterte recognized the “urgent need to create a coherent and unified strategy for space development and utilization to keep up with other nations in terms of space science and technology.” thus established the agency[21][22]

Press conference on the establishment of the Philippine Space Agency, August 14, 2019.
President Rodrigo Duterte signs the Philippine Space Act (RA 11363), August 2019

Following the Space Act's signing into law, DOST Secretary Dela Peña has written to the Office of the President to initiate the drafting of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the space agency.[23]

The first head of Philippine Space Agency, Joel Marciano Jr. was appointed on December 5, 2019, by President Duterte.[24]

Although by law, PhilSA should hold its main office in Clark,[14] the space agency decided to temporarily hold office in Quezon City at least until 2021.[25] The space program started by the DOST in 2014 will also be transitioned to PhilSA.[26]

Organization

A Philippine Space Council, to be chaired by the President and composed of other key members of the Cabinet shall be created to act as the principal advisory body to the Director General. It is proposed that at least 30 hectares (74 acres) will be allocated as PhilSA's headquarters and main research facility in an official site within the Clark Special Economic Zone in Pampanga and Tarlac with a target completion date of 2022. Additional facilities (launch sites, research and development) are also to be established in the future.[14] The PhilSA announced in October 2021 that its headquarters, the National Space Center, would be built at New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.[27]

The agency is mandated to focus on six areas — national security and development, hazard management and climate studies, space research and development, space industry capacity building, space education and awareness, and international cooperation.

Philippine Space Council

The Philippine Space Council is the primary advisory body. The council is headed by the President of the Philippines, who leads the council as its chairperson.[28] The following is the composition of the space council:[29]

Activities and program

According to the Department of Science and Technology, the Philippines already possesses enough infrastructure to run a dedicated space agency. Since 2010, it has spent ₱7.48 billion (or $144 million) for space research and development, aided 5,500 scholars, trained more than 1,000 space science experts, and established 25 facilities in various parts of the Philippines. It has also developed six small-scale satellites (Diwata-1, Diwata-2, Maya-1, Maya-2, Maya-3, and Maya-4[30]) and had them launched and deployed to space.[31][32] While the immediate goals of the agency will not involve launching its own rockets like NASA of the United States and JAXA of Japan, it is planned that the agency would pursue such goals in the long term.[32]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Philippine Space Agency aims to foster local space era opportunities". ABS-CBN News. July 14, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  2. ^ "Philippine Space Agency Budget Appropriation 2021" (PDF). Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  3. ^ Parrocha, Azer (August 13, 2019). "Duterte signs law creating Philippine Space Agency". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  4. ^ de Guzman, Chad (March 23, 2018). "PH takes small steps, as it aims for giant leaps in space technology". CNN Philippines. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  5. ^ Tumampos, Stephanie; Resurreccion, Lyn (October 29, 2018). "PHL flying high–into space". BusinessMirror. Retrieved October 29, 2018.
  6. ^ Luces, Kim (October 15, 2013). "Reaching for the stars: Why the Philippines needs a space program". GMA News. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
  7. ^ Cinco, Maricar (November 7, 2012). "Gov't space agency pushed". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
  8. ^ Pineda, Oscar (March 10, 2013). "Country needs to upgrade weather detection gear". Sun Star Cebu. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
  9. ^ Usman, Edd (March 29, 2015). "PH to become 'space-capable' in 10 yrs, according to DOST". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved March 30, 2015.
  10. ^ Usman, Edd K (December 14, 2012), Planetary Scientists Launch Space Movement, Philippine Department of Science and Technology[permanent dead link]
  11. ^ "Philippine Space Act of 2016" (PDF). 17th Philippine House of Representatives. September 15, 2016. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
  12. ^ "SBN-1211: Philippine Space Act". 17th Congress of the Philippines#Senate. September 15, 2016. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
  13. ^ "Philippine Space Development Act" (PDF). 17th Philippine House of Representatives. November 5, 2018. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
  14. ^ a b c "House okays PH Space Dev't bill on 2nd reading". Philippine News Agency. November 27, 2018. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  15. ^ Arayata, Ma. Cristina (February 1, 2019). "DOST execs note importance of Space Agency creation". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved February 3, 2019.
  16. ^ Roxas, Pathricia Ann V. (December 4, 2018). "Philippine space development bill gets House nod". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved December 26, 2018.
  17. ^ Cervantes, Filane Mikee (May 20, 2019). "Senate approves creation of PH Space Agency". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
  18. ^ "Senate approves creation of PH Space Agency". Philippine News Agency. May 20, 2019. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
  19. ^ Tumampos, Stephanie (June 4, 2019). "Philippine Space Agency, ready for President Duterte's signature". BusinessMirror. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  20. ^ "SBN-1983: Philippine Space Act Leg. History". 17th Congress of the Philippines#Senate. June 30, 2019. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  21. ^ Parrocha, Azer (August 13, 2019). "Duterte signs law creating Philippine Space Agency". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  22. ^ Esguerra, Darryl John (August 13, 2019). "Duterte signs law creating Philippine Space Agency". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  23. ^ Arayata, Maria Cristina (August 16, 2019). "DOST chief wants OP to initiate drafting of Space Agency's IRR". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
  24. ^ "Duterte appoints first head of Philippine Space Agency". CNN Philippines. January 7, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
  25. ^ "Where is PhilSA Located?". Facebook. Philippine Space Agency. Archived from the original on December 4, 2020. Retrieved December 7, 2020. The PhilSA is currently setting up shop and will be based in Quezon City, at least until 2021. Alt URL
  26. ^ "PH's Maya-2 launched into space: DOST". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  27. ^ "Space agency site to rise in New Clark City". BusinessWorld. October 14, 2021. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  28. ^ "Philippines breaks new ground with own space agency". Japan Times. Kyodo. August 17, 2019. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
  29. ^ Ronnicque, Neyzielle (August 15, 2019). "Philippine Space Agency signed into law". DOST-Advanced Science and Technology Institute. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
  30. ^ "Maya-3 and Maya-4 CubeSats launched to International Space Station". DOST-ASTI. August 31, 2021. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
  31. ^ Silver, Andrew (August 19, 2019). "The Philippines creates its first space agency". Nature. doi:10.1038/d41586-019-02485-9. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  32. ^ a b "Philippines ready and able to create its own space agency, minister says". The Japan Times. Kyodo. February 1, 2019. Retrieved February 3, 2019.
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