“Why are we talking about space when we have so many issues to confront on land?” This is perhaps the question on the minds of individuals when they become aware of Presidential Proclamation No. 302. This proclamation, signed last month by the President, declares the “period of Aug. 8 to 14 every year as Philippine Space Week.”

The President acted upon the recommendation of the Philippine Space Council, as the date coincides with the enactment of the Philippine Space Act on Aug. 8, 2019.  Philippine Space Week, essentially, is aimed at “highlighting the substantial influence of space science and technology applications on the socio-economic development of the country.”

“There is a need to promote space awareness, celebrate the significant contributions of Filipinos worldwide in the field of space science, and espouse the value, benefits and impacts of space science and technology applications on the lives of Filipinos,” according to the proclamation.

As far as human knowledge is concerned, space is the final frontier because it is truly massive, and no expert here on earth could claim to know all its features. In fact, scientists have observed that the universe spans 100 billion light years across and is still expanding. So, the mystery of space continues to baffle — and excite — humanity.

Space Week is not only exclusive to the Philippines as there is an annual “World Space Week,” a worldwide celebration spearheaded by the United Nations from Oct. 4 to 10. According to the UN, Space Week is commemorated to “celebrate the contributions of space science and technology to the betterment of the human condition, educate the public about space activities, and foster international cooperation in space outreach and education.”

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has said that it is in our common interest to “preserve the domain of outer space — a province of humankind that benefits us all.”  The UN noted that the past decade has seen an “exponential increase in the number of satellites launched into outer space — from 210 in 2013 to 2,470 last year — and mainly by private companies.”

“The period was also marked by a rapid expansion in the number of private missions to space, including the first commercial mission to the International Space Station, which took place in 2021,” the UN said.  “The number of planned private missions for communications, resource activities, space tourism, and science is also rising. While the US has led the sector, many new commercial space companies have emerged in China, India, and Japan.”

With more explorations of space, there will be more discoveries and new technologies to unravel. Our country, though a very minor player in space discovery, must not be left behind in all the developments. That’s why there is the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA), a central government agency attached to the Office of the President tasked with addressing all national issues and activities related to space science, technology, and applications. For Philippine Space Week, PhilSA is directed to promote the observance and identify the programs, projects, and activities for the annual celebration.

In the coming years, there will be more progress in the field of space science, space technology, and even space tourism. We have to be sure that we now have plans on how to face this inevitable future when the line between land and space blurs. It is hoped that any discovery will not only benefit Filipinos today or this week, but for infinity and beyond.