Legarda Seeks Creation of Nat’l Space Agency

Senator Loren Legarda supports the creation of the Philippine Space Agency (PSA) that will address all national issues and activities related to space science and technology applications.

In filing Senate Bill No. 1259, Legarda proposed the creation of the PSA and a National Space Development and Utilization Policy (NSDUP), which will serve as the country’s primary strategic roadmap for space development and will embody the country’s goal of becoming a space-capable and space-faring nation within the next decade.

The Senator noted that the Philippines is lagging behind its neighboring countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Singapore, each having space agencies with satellites devoted to telecommunications or earth monitoring.

“It is unfortunate that due to lack of local support to this field, many of our globally-competitive Filipino space scientists have instead opted to serve in space agencies abroad,” said Legarda.

She added that space programs and development are not limited to sending astronauts to space and engineering space crafts and technologies.

“Space programs and development address basic needs in our daily lives such as the application of global navigation satellite systems which directly affects industries, transportation management, national security, health management, climate studies and disaster risk management, and the expansion of scientific engineering resources,” said Legarda.

The Philippine Space Policy will focus on space applications that can preserve and enhance the country’s national security and promote development that is beneficial to all Filipinos, and on conducting research and development endeavors in vital areas of space science, technology and allied fields.

Through the PSA, the country will develop and utilize space science and technology applications to enhance its hazard management and disaster mitigation strategy as well as ensure the nation’s resiliency to climate change; create a robust and thriving space industry to support the country’s space program through private sector involvement and cooperation; establish a sustainable pool of trained space scientists, engineers and communicators that will be critical for the country’s future space program and increasing public awareness on its value and benefits; and for the Philippines to become a key player in the ASEAN and global space community by providing significant contributions and capabilities on space science and technology applications.