On the celebration of Philippine Space Week, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. presided the 8th Philippine Space Council (PSC) meeting where he was briefed on his previous directive on the development and utilization of space science and technology in the country.

Prior to the meeting held in Libis, Bagumbayan, Quezon City, President Marcos had a brief run-through of Philippine Space Agency’s various programs as presented by PhilSA Director General Joseph Marciano Jr. and PhilSA Deputy Director General Gay Jane Perez.

Also presented to the President, who chairs the PSC, were the replica of the Multilateral Unit for Land Assessment (MULA) satellite and the Pandora instruments used for air quality measurement.

The MULA Satellite is developed in the United Kingdom by 16 Filipino engineers deployed by PhilSA.

The satellite is expected to be launched in the United States within October of 2025 to March 2026 using SpaceX Transporter-16.

On the President’s directive on the development and utilization of space science and technology, PhilSA has signed partnerships and collaborated with the space agencies of several countries, including Japan, the United Kingdom (UK), France, South Korea, and the US.

It also received four Pandora instruments for air quality measurement, and distributed 59,455 satellite images and maps. It also signed 12 space data mobilization agreements with government agencies from July 2022 to June 30, 2024.

The agency also launched the Space Data Dashboard, a system of geospatial data and information accessible to the public.

Also present during the meeting were Department of Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr., Department of Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, Department of Information and Communications Technology Secretary Ivan Uy, and Department of Trade and Industry Acting Secretary Ma. Christina Aldeguer-Roque. | PND