Senator Loren Legarda Proposes Philippine Space Act

Senator Loren Legarda has proposed the Senate Bill No. 1259 or the Philippine Space Act (PhilSA). Read on to know more about it.

Five Fast Facts About The Senate Bill No. 1259 or the Philippine Space Act:

1. The bill seeks to establish a Philippine Space Development and Utilization Policy.

The Philippine Space Development and Utilization Policy or the Philippine Space Policy 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 policy shall focus on areas of Space Science and Technology Applications (SSTA) that would address national issues, promote the efficient utilization of space assets and resources, establish capacity-building measures for human resources development and enhance international cooperation.

2. The Philippines is behind neighboring countries who have established space agencies.

Legarda explained that the Philippines is lagging behind its neighboring countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Singapore. These countries already have Space Agencies with satellites devoted to telecommunications or earth monitoring. She added that due to lack of local support to the space field, globally competitive Filipino space scientists have opted to serve in space agencies abroad.

3. The Philippine Space Policy will focus on six key development areas.

•  National Security and Development: The Philippines will focus on space applications that can preserve and enhance the country’s national security and promote development that is beneficial to all Filipinos.
• Hazard Management and Climate Studies: The Philippines 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.
• Space Research and Development: The Philippines will focus on conducting research and development endeavors in vital areas of space science, technology and allied fields.
• Space Industry Capacity Building: The Philippines will create a robust and thriving space industry to support the country’s space program through private sector involvement and cooperation.
• Space Education and Awareness: The Philippines aims to establish a sustainable pool of trained space scientists, engineers and communicators that will be critical for the coun try’s future space program and increasing public awareness of its value and benefits.
• International Cooperation: The Philippines will become a key player in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and global space community by providing significant contributions and capabilities on space science and technology applications.

4.  The PhilSA shall be an attached agency of the Office of the President.

The PhilSA shall be an attached agency of the Office of the President for policy and program coordination, to ensure alignment to national policies and priorities. It shall be composed of the Office of the Director General, the Offices of the Deputy Directors and various Divisions to be created as deemed necessary.

5.  A Philippine Space Development Fund will be created.

The fund shall be administered by the Director-General of PhilSA. The source will come from the following:

• The amount of P10 billion from the share of the national government in the gross income of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA)
• Income from specialized products, services and royalties produced by the PhilSA
• Loans, contributions, grants, bequests, gifts, and donations whether from local or foreign sources subject to the approval of the President

What do you think of Senator Legarda’s proposed Senate Bill 1259 or the Philippine Space Act? How will this proposed act benefit the Filipinos? Let us know in the comments section below.

Source: International Business Time