President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has mandated key government agencies to make space technology more accessible to Filipinos, with a special focus on engaging the youth. This directive was disclosed by Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) Director General Joel Marciano Jr. during the Malacañang Insider program on Monday.
Director General Marciano revealed that President Marcos issued this order during the 8th Philippine Space Council (PSC) Meeting held last week. The President instructed PhilSA, the Department of National Defense (DND), and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to collaborate in bringing space technology closer to the public.
The initiative aims to inspire and educate the younger generation about the potential and opportunities in space technology, fostering a new wave of interest and innovation in the field.
“So we discussed the current state of utilization of space, science, and technology and its applications in our country,” Marciano said.
“The President instructed us to bring space technology closer to the people, especially to the young ones,” he said.
“By bringing it to the public, we can communicate the benefits of space technology better in addressing the many programs of government. We’re there with the other government agencies in trying to achieve better synergy for using space technology.”
During the PSC meeting, the President received updates on the development and utilization of space science and technology in the country, including the development of the Multispectral Unit for Land Assessment (MULA) satellite.
The MULA satellite is an Earth observation satellite that can produce data for all government agencies, the public, and the private sector.
Following the President’s directive, PhilSA has signed partnerships and collaborations with space agencies from several countries, including Japan, the United Kingdom, France, South Korea, and the United States.
The agency also received four Pandora instruments for air quality measurement.
It distributed 59,455 satellite images and maps and signed 12 space data mobilization agreements with government agencies from July 2022 to June 30, 2024.
PhilSA has also sustained capacity-building programs to foster space science and technology and launched the Space Data Dashboard, a system of geospatial data and information accessible to the public.
Proclamation No. 302 (s. 2023) declared August 8 to 14 of every year as Philippine Space Week, an annual celebration aimed at promoting space awareness.
The celebration also highlights the contributions of Filipinos worldwide in the field of space science and espouses the value, benefits, and impacts of space science and technology applications on the lives of Filipinos. PND
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