PRESIDENT Duterte has signed the Philippine Space Act, enabling the Philippines to establish its own national space agency and its research facilities in Clark Special Economic Zone in Pampanga and Tarlac.
Under
Republic Act 11363 signed on August 8, the Philippine Space Agency
(PhilSA) is created to be the country’s official representation in the
international space community for establishing cooperation agreements and
linkages on space
development.
With an initial funding of P1 billion, PhilSA will also be an attached agency under the Office of the President.
“A land area equivalent to at least 30 hectares under the administration of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority [BCDA] within the Clark Special Economic Zone in Pampanga and Tarlac shall be allocated exclusively for the PhilSA office and its research facilities,” read the newly signed law, a copy of which was only released on Tuesday.
PhilSA is also mandated by law to plan, develop and promote the national space program in line with the Philippine Space Policy.
This will serve as the country’s primary strategic roadmap for space development and embody the country’s central goal of becoming a space-capable and space-faring nation within the next decade.
Heading PhilSA is a director general to be appointed by the President. The director general shall have the rank and compensation of a Cabinet Secretary and shall also be subject to confirmation by the Commission on Appointments.
The director general is also tasked to administer the Philippine Development Fund.
This fund shall be sourced from the following:
■ P10 billion taken from the national government’s share in the gross income of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) and the BCDA; an amount of P2 billion per year shall be released to PhilSA
■ Income from specialized products, services and royalties produced by PhilSA
■ Loans, contributions, grants, bequests, gifts, donations, whether from local or foreign sources
Moreover, an initial funding of P1 billion is also appropriated to PhilSA, taken from the current fiscal year’s appropriation of the Office of the President. Thereafter, the amount needed for the appropriation and maintenance of PhilSA shall be included in the national budget.
Assisting the director general are three deputy directors general who shall also be appointed by the President upon the recommendation of the director general.
The Director General or Deputy Director General shall also be a citizen and resident of the Philippines, of good moral character, of proven integrity, with an advanced degree in space science, astronomy, physics, engineering or related fields of study. He or she must have at least five years of competence and expertise in any of the following: astrophysics, space science, aerospace engineering, space systems, engineering, remote sensing space industry or human capital development.
Chaired by the President, a Philippine Space Council will also be created to be the principal advisory body for the coordination and integration of policies, programs, and resources affecting space and technology applications.
Within 90 days from the effectivity of the Act, the PhilSA, in coordination with the Department of Budget and Management, Civil Service Commission and other relevant government agencies shall promulgate the rules and regulations for the implementation of the Act.