Pacquiao, SpaceX execs discuss better internet for Philippines

Senator Manny Pacquiao on Tuesday met with representatives of billionaire Elon Musk's SpaceX company to discuss possible partnerships to improve the internet service in the country.

According to Pacquiao's camp, the lawmaker also met with SpaceX executives in January and raised the possibility of making available Tesla batteries for modern jeepneys and a subway system using Boring Company technology.

Pacquiao reportedly raised as well the putting up of a launch pad in Mindanao. something that he said would put the country on the map of space exploration and generate thousands of jobs for Filipino scientists and engineers.

“This will be the second time that I’ll be meeting with the top executives of SpaceX but I am still thrilled to talk to the people behind one of the world’s biggest tech companies on this planet," Pacquiao said in a statement.

"I’ve met with SpaceX Government Relations head Rebecca Hunter via zoom last January to discuss possible areas of partnership that could greatly improve the country’s internet,” he added.

Foreign telecommunications companies, including Space X’s Starlink, are now allowed to do business in the Philippine IT market without requiring a Filipino partnership following the enactment of amendments to the Public Service Act.

Pacquiao was accompanied in the meeting by Senator Koko Pimentel, who chairs the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

Also present during the meeting were SpaceX senior manager for foreign relations Rebecca Hunter and Philippine representative Ramon Garcia.

“I also hope to see greater collaboration among global tech giants like SpaceX with our local IT service providers so that they too can keep up with the demands of the IT market," Pacquiao said.

"We all have to work together for a better life for all Filipinos,” he added.

Pacquiao had also met with SpaceX executives in January where there they discussed the possibilities of utilizing low orbit satellites to provide cheap internet and establishing a spaceship launchpad in the country. —NB, GMA News