CA defers confirmation of Philippine Space Agency chief Marciano's appointment

The Commission on Appointments has deferred the confirmation of the ad interim appointment of Joel Joseph Marciano as the director-general of the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA).

During the CA committee hearing on Marciano's appointment, Camarines Sur. Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte moved for the deferral of the confirmation as the PhilSA chief failed to provide accurate data.

"I move to defer the consideration of this nominee. They cannot even answer simple questions," Villafuerte, CA majority leader, said.

Villafuerte scrutinized Marciano's fitness for the position by asking him to enumerate provinces that will be affected by La Niña — a phenomenon that affects the agriculture production in several areas in the Philippines — based on the satellite data of the PhilSA.

Marciano was able to mention some, including Camarines Sur where Villafuerte serves, but failed to provide specific data.

At the early part of the hearing, Villafuerte emphasized PhilSA's role in agriculture and disaster management.

However, the lawmaker pointed out the supposed lack of proactiveness on the part of PhilSA.

"The agency has not done anything to improve or suggest policy regarding agriculture development through space technology. Wala po kayong disaster management," Villafuerte said.

“You are a cabinet rank head. Sayang po yung creation niyo po. To be honest, if you did not appear in the CA, we will never hear from you. I don't even hear any statements in the press about the PhilSA. To be honest, the country does not even know that there is a PhilSA," he stressed.

Marciano cited their accomplishments such as their participation in the Office of the Civil Defense and National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council where they provided satellite imagery of disasters and flood extent maps.

"With this reported grass fire in Ilocos Norte, we managed to turn around satellite images to the Office of Civil Defense and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)," he said.

Still, Villafuerte said the PhilSA should have taken an active role in terms of prevention of disasters, citing the "worst flooding in history" that happened in his province in Camarines Sur.

"Your office is very important. It was created only five years ago, and you should be more relevant. You should be more proactive. You should let the Filipino people know that there is such an agency existing," the lawmaker said.

"Use satellite to forecast disaster prone areas, prevent flooding, landslides and these things kasi yan ang nararamdaman ng Filipino people," he added.

Apart from this, Villafuerte said that the PhilSA should have pursued international cooperations on space technology development, saying this is a P500-billion economy.

Although Marciano mentioned some of their international engagements, Villafuerte still expressed frustrations over the supposed failure of PhilSA to seek further development of space technology through cooperation in other countries.

Marciano's educational background was also scrutinized by Villafuerte, noting that the PhilSA director general only has a background on electrical engineering, but nothing on space technology.

While he admitted that he has "no formal training" on space technology, Marciano said the projects that he spearheaded in the Department of Science and Technology has provided him with enough experience for the job.

"Prior to being appointed, I was program leader under DOST of the Diwata satellites when we built that po. We sent students to Japanese universities. I was program leader from 2014 to 2020 and leading that satellite development," he said.

"It's an extension of my know-how po in wireless communications and telecommunications engineering. I think po it's a good starting point po like many Filipinos... We learned by experience in doing these projects under DOST," he added.

In 2020, Marciano was appointed by former President Rodrigo Duterte as the chief of PhilSA.

Prior to his appointment, Marciano served as acting director of the Department of Science and Technology-Advanced Science and Technology Institute. The DOST-ASTI is focused on programs such as technology transfer and space technology.

Marciano first faced the CA in March 2020, but his appointment was not tackled because it was not clear then if his position should undergo the commission's scrutiny. — BAP, GMA Integrated News