House ratifies bicam report on bill establishing Philippine Space Agency
Published Jun 11, 2019 12:59 pm
By Charissa Luci-Atienza
The House of Representatives has ratified the bicameral conference report on a bill seeking to establish the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) that would develop and promote the country’s national space program.
(MANILA BULLETIN)
Bohol Rep. Erico Aumentado and Zamboanga del Norte Rep. Seth Frederick Jalosjos, authors of the bill, cited the need for the government to come up with a national space policy that would serve as the Philippines’ primary strategic roadmap for space development to make the country "space-capable and space-faring nation.”
"A national space program aimed at changing the Philippines into a space-faring nation is worthwhile and truly beneficial for the country, serving the best interest of the Filipino people and the rest of mankind,” Aumentado said.
The House-ratified version was the consolidated version of House Bill No. 8541 and Senate Bill No. 1983, which both aim to establish the Philippine Space Development and Utilization Policy, or the Philippine Space Policy, and create the PhilSA.
The Senate measure was authored by Senators Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, Loren Legarda, Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Sen. Sonny Angara.
The bill mandates the PhilSA to be "the primary policy, planning, coordinating, implementing and administrative entity of the Executive Branch of the government that will plan, develop and promote the national space program in line with the Philippine Space Policy.”
Under the measure, the Philippine Space Policy shall focus on areas of Space Science and Technology Applications (SSTAs) that would address national issues, promote the efficient use of space assets and resources, establish capacity-building measures for human resource development, strengthen national defense, and enhance international cooperation.
The SSTAs are defined "as the scientific principles and their applications to space science, engineering and other allied fields.”
Under the bill, the PhilSA shall be under the umbrella of Office of the President for policy and program coordination to ensure alignment in national policies and priorities.
The measure also calls for the creation of the Philippine Space Council (PSC) as the principal advisory body for the coordination and integration of policies, programs and resources affecting SSTAs.
It shall be chaired by the President of the Philippines.
Among the tasks of the Council are recommend and approve the implementation of Philippine space policies in accordance with international conventions; ensure appropriate allocation of resources in support to the mandates of the PhilSA; and approve strategic directions and decisions for the implementation of the PhilSA.
The bill calls for the creation of the Philippine Space Development Fund for the operation of the PhilSA.
The fund shall be sourced from the national government, the income from specialized products, services and royalties produced by the Agency, and loans, contributions, and grants from local or foreign sources.
(MANILA BULLETIN)
Bohol Rep. Erico Aumentado and Zamboanga del Norte Rep. Seth Frederick Jalosjos, authors of the bill, cited the need for the government to come up with a national space policy that would serve as the Philippines’ primary strategic roadmap for space development to make the country "space-capable and space-faring nation.”
"A national space program aimed at changing the Philippines into a space-faring nation is worthwhile and truly beneficial for the country, serving the best interest of the Filipino people and the rest of mankind,” Aumentado said.
The House-ratified version was the consolidated version of House Bill No. 8541 and Senate Bill No. 1983, which both aim to establish the Philippine Space Development and Utilization Policy, or the Philippine Space Policy, and create the PhilSA.
The Senate measure was authored by Senators Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, Loren Legarda, Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Sen. Sonny Angara.
The bill mandates the PhilSA to be "the primary policy, planning, coordinating, implementing and administrative entity of the Executive Branch of the government that will plan, develop and promote the national space program in line with the Philippine Space Policy.”
Under the measure, the Philippine Space Policy shall focus on areas of Space Science and Technology Applications (SSTAs) that would address national issues, promote the efficient use of space assets and resources, establish capacity-building measures for human resource development, strengthen national defense, and enhance international cooperation.
The SSTAs are defined "as the scientific principles and their applications to space science, engineering and other allied fields.”
Under the bill, the PhilSA shall be under the umbrella of Office of the President for policy and program coordination to ensure alignment in national policies and priorities.
The measure also calls for the creation of the Philippine Space Council (PSC) as the principal advisory body for the coordination and integration of policies, programs and resources affecting SSTAs.
It shall be chaired by the President of the Philippines.
Among the tasks of the Council are recommend and approve the implementation of Philippine space policies in accordance with international conventions; ensure appropriate allocation of resources in support to the mandates of the PhilSA; and approve strategic directions and decisions for the implementation of the PhilSA.
The bill calls for the creation of the Philippine Space Development Fund for the operation of the PhilSA.
The fund shall be sourced from the national government, the income from specialized products, services and royalties produced by the Agency, and loans, contributions, and grants from local or foreign sources.