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Philippine Space Agency eyes satellite to provide data, improve connectivity


The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) is eyeing to launch a satellite to provide data, access technology, and improve connectivity, its top official said on Tuesday.

In a Senate budget hearing, PhilSA Director General Joel Marciano said the full project would need a budget of over P900 million for development and operation.

“We intend to build, launch, and operate a 100- to 150-kilogram small satellite that will cater to the data requirements of various sectors in the country,” Marciano said.

“By carrying cameras, it gets data of our environment, surrounding, bodies of water, vegetation, land areas et cetera. So, that’s the purpose of this satellite,” he added.

Marciano also noted that the country will also have access to underlying technologies if its own scientists and engineers develop and build the satellite.

According to him, the launching of the satellite will help improve many industries in the country with the data that it can provide.

With partnerships, Marciano said the connectivity in rural areas which are beyond the reach of telecommunication companies could also improve.

Under Section 25 of Republic Act No.1 11363 or the Philippine Space Act, P1 billion was allotted from the Office of the President for PhilSA's  initial operating year, which started in March.

However, Marciano said, the budget became "unavailable."

“Because of current constraints in resources and also the inability to program the budget into the Office of the President during the last year’s budget cycle, this P1-billion initial operating fund of the PhilSA became unavailable,” he said.

Marciano said PhilSA is proposing to transfer the unreleased allotment to the agency's 2021 budget. This will bring PhilSA’s budget to P1.676 billion in 2021. — BM, GMA News

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