SATELLITE MAPPING. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. met with government officials on Dec. 19, 2022 and told them he wanted to maximize the use of satellite mapping to help improve their operations. Marcos chairs the Philippine Space Council. (File photo)
MANILA – The head of the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the public on Tuesday for their support to the agency and the space program.
"We thank the President and our countrymen for their support. PhilSA is a four-year old agency that strives to contribute to the nation," PhilSA Director General Joel Marciano Jr. said in the 2024 Post-SONA (State of the Nation Address) Discussions held at a hotel in Pasay City.
In his third SONA on Monday, Marcos said the country's satellites in space have generated over 51,000 maps, images and space-borne data for various purposes.
"These now provide us with vital information that guide our country’s stratagems and decision-making in agricultural development, urban planning and environmental management, including the strengthening of our maritime domain awareness, to name but a few examples," Marcos said.
Marciano said Marcos acknowledged that space is an important domain for national security and development, for hazard management and studying and improving climate resiliency, for food security, maritime domain awareness, among others.
Marcos also recognized those who have carved out their niche as pioneering space scientists and engineers.
"Sixteen of our space engineers are in the United Kingdom resuming work on the development of the Multi-Spectral Unit for Land Assessment, or the MULA satellite. Once completed, the MULA satellite will be our largest earth observation satellite to be launched into space so far," Marcos said.
Marciano expressed hope that continued support would be given to the scientists and space engineers, comparing them to athletes as they compete in the international arena in improving the country's competitiveness.
Marciano also pointed out that the Philippines does not buy satellites but build them.
"This includes having a license to manufacture these in the country. This opens a door for creating a strong industrial base in this new and exciting frontier of space technology," he said.
Marcos earlier expressed his full support for the development of MULA satellite in 2022.
The project has been among the priorities of the Department of Science and Technology in coordination with PhilSA.
Target to be launched in 2025, MULA satellite will detect air and water quality, identify abundant fishing grounds, zoom-in on traffic situations, and detect presence of ships in Philippine waters. (PNA)
