The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has announced that the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) will set up its headquarters in New Clark City (NCC), Capas, Tarlac.
In a statement on Thursday, Sept. 5, BCDA said that a one-hectare parcel of land in NCC has been leased for 50 years to facilitate the construction of PhilSA's headquarters.
Under the lease agreement signed on Aug. 29, the first phase of development will focus on constructing the headquarters and other facilities at the National Government Administrative Center.
The second phase will facilitate the expansion of space research and development, as well as the necessary infrastructure for PhilSA's operations.
Once completed, the headquarters is expected to accommodate around 350 personnel, including space scientists, engineers, and researchers.
Currently, PhilSA operates from facilities at the University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City and another site in Davao City.
According to Section 17 of Republic Act No. 11363, known as the Philippine Space Act, the BCDA is required to allocate at least 30 hectares of exclusive land within the Clark Special Economic Zone for PhilSA.
“The facilities to be put up are aimed at enhancing the country's capabilities in space science, technology, and applications (SSTA) by enabling tighter industry, academe, and government engagement, and creating opportunities for highly technical jobs, products, and services,” BCDA said.
Joel Joseph Marciano, PhilSA Director General, believed that this signing marks a milestone of growth and collaboration.
“As we continue to build on PhilSA’s progress over the past five years, we are strengthening not just the space agency but also the domestic space ecosystem, our ‘#YamangKalawakan.’ We are pleased to be building in New Clark City with BCDA as we seize opportunities in the global space economy together,” he said.
BCDA president and chief executive officer Joshua Bingcang also expressed confidence that the country will integrate a modern space institution.
“Once built, we are confident that the Philippines will have one of the most modern space centers in Southeast Asia; and what better place for this to happen than in New Clark City, the first smart and disaster-resilient city in the Philippines,” he elaborated.
The BCDA further noted that this partnership is in line with the state-run enterprise’s push for sustainable development as PhilSA assured people-centric, business-friendly, sustainable, and green design principles.
The signing ceremony was led by Marciano and Bingcang. Also present at the event were PhilSA Deputy Director General for Space Science and Technology Dr. Gay Jane P. Perez, Deputy Director General for Space Operations, Infrastructure and Industry Denis F. Villorente along with other party officials.