The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) aims to create an enabling environment for its Satellite Systems Providers or Operators (SSPOs) and will support policies that will protect and support their digital transformation initiatives prescribed and guided by its Circular No. 001, s. 2022, which rationalises, streamlines, and liberalises the registration, regulation, and monitoring of qualified SSPOs, allowing them to participate at a faster pace.
We are in the right direction. Let us continue what we have started and let us work towards our common goal of providing faster and secure connectivity for everyone.
– Emmanuel Rey “Manny” R. Caintic, Acting Secretary, Department of Information and Communications Technology
Manny added that even a good ICT infrastructure is vulnerable to natural disasters. This is when the benefits of satellite connectivity are most apparent. Obtaining bandwidth from satellite providers is also a viable option for Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) where laying fibre cables is difficult.
In addition to these initiatives, the Philippine Space Council (PSC) has recently presented updates on the Agency’s progress in carrying out its functions in accordance with the Philippine Space Act. These include advancements in research and development, capacity-building, international cooperation and policy, and the expansion of the local space industry through coordinated inter-agency efforts aimed at strengthening the local space ecosystem.
In 2021, the Agency has continued to focus on making the country a good place for innovation in space science and technology applications (SSTA) by improving access, sharing resources, and making SSTA policies.
ISKUELA (Inclusive, SSTA, Knowhow, Utilization, Exchange, and Localization Activities) is the main goal of the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) for the year 2022. Cascading PhilSA’s know-how and extending it to various sectors of Philippine society, from the academic world and government agencies to industry and the private sector would result in an increase in the value of the country’s existing space capabilities.
The expansion of local initiatives in the space industry was one of the most important takeaways from the Philippine research. The INCENTIVISE project -Introducing Non-Geostationary Satellite Constellations Test Deployments to Improve Internet Service – was launched by the PhilSA late last year, and is currently in the process of being put into action.
In accordance with the Agency’s mandate to develop and put into practice national and international space policies, PhilSA has been working toward ratifying and adhering to the United Nations’ liability and registration conventions. This is in addition to the Agency’s mandate to develop and implement national and international space policies.
A multi-stakeholder consultation was also conducted that took place in the latter half of 2021, all participants from different government bodies voiced their agreement with the proposition to ratify the UN Treaties.
It was also emphasised that PhilSA participates in a variety of national government task forces and committees, which demonstrates the government’s growing reliance on SSTA through the mobilisation of space data in the areas of national security, environmental conservation, food security, and livelihood. Towards this aim, the Agency is continually working to improve public access to SSTA resources and the sharing of those resources by increasing the country’s efficiency in gaining access to a variety of satellite research.
The creation of the Philippine Space Council was authorised by the Philippine Space Act (Rep. Act No. 11363) as the primary advisory body for the coordination and integration of policies, programmes, and resources affecting space science and technology applications.
