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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Philippines, US to monitor West PH Sea via satellite

Philippines, US to monitor West PH Sea via satellite

Published May 14, 2024 03:05 am

The Philippines and the United States are now considering the use of satellite imagery beamed from outer space for maritime domain awareness amid reports of continued illegal activities in the West Philippine Sea.

This will be achieved through the US Transportation Department's SeaVision program, a web-based maritime situational awareness tool that enables users to view and share a broad array of maritime information to improve maritime operations, among other programs.

This developed as the Philippines and the US held for the first time a space dialogue, a platform that was established based on the May 2023 joint statement of President Marcos and US President Joe Biden. It is designed to strengthen the two countries' cooperation and advance bilateral exchanges in civil space matters, including the use of space for maritime domain awareness and space situational awareness.

According to the two countries' joint statement, the SeaVision "can help monitor and document vessels in the Philippines’ territorial waters and exclusive economic zone."

SeaVision uses satellite imagery, transponders and infrared to track ships round the clock, providing near real-time and historical information on vessel positions and details, including owner, operator, port visit history, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

SeaVision can also "ensure the safety of mariners at sea, monitor and help protect the environment, and help combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing," it added.

Dialogue

The Philippines and the US agreed that Earth observation is a priority area for bilateral cooperation.

During the dialogue, both sides discussed a range of programs that use satellites to better forecast weather patterns; support agricultural and infrastructure planning; help monitor and combat climate change and pollution; prepare for and respond to disasters; improve natural resource use; and provide vital telecommunications services.

The Philippines also agreed to its possible hosting of a US Geological Survey (USGS) Landsat ground station, a program that provides the longest continuous space-based record of Earth's land in existence, as well as expressed interest in possible expansion of cooperation, through programs such as the joint USAID-NASA SERVIR program.

Further, the provision of satellite-enabled broadband Internet services to remote and underserved areas of the Philippines, including a PhilSA initiative in cooperation with USAID BEACON, might be expanded following the space dialogue.

Both countries also reviewed joint efforts to promote the long-term sustainability of outer space activities, including its work in the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN COPUOS) and other UN bodies, and in regional forums such as ASEAN and the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF).

The Philippines said it is considering signing on to the Artemis Accords, which establish guidelines to ensure safety and responsible behavior in outer space as countries explore the Moon and beyond.

The Philippines and the US agreed to stay in close communication on expanding commercial space ties and space situational awareness (SSA).

They considered working together to also expand bilateral exchange and training programs on the use of Earth observation satellite data, development of space applications and technologies and other space science and skills, including fellowships, scholarships and internship programs.

Related Tags

Exclusive economic zone West Philippines Sea
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