The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), led by Secretary Dante โKlinkโ M. Ang II, held a strategic meeting with officials from the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) to explore collaboration opportunities focused on engaging Filipinos in the diaspora in the Philippines Space Ecosystem and Space Value Chain. PhilSA is responsible for developing and implementing the Philippines' space program through initiatives to advance national development, enhance disaster management efforts, and foster international collaborations.
During the meeting, Secretary Ang emphasized the Commission's mandate to connect with and support Filipinos living overseas. He highlighted key programs that could help the PhilSA achieve its objectives. Specifically, Secretary Ang discussed ways to facilitate brain gain in the Philippines through a collaborative approach to managing Science and Technology (S&T) professionals under the Exchange Visitor Program (EVP). He also mentioned the possibility of engaging Filipino S&T experts abroad, particularly past recipients of the Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas (PAFIOO), who could serve as resource persons and contributors for PhilSA. Lastly, he also discussed the opportunity to tap Filipino youth overseas interested in contributing to the Philippines through S&T efforts through a joint initiative through the Youth Leaders in the Diaspora (YouLeaD) program. Project Management Division Chief Marita Del Rosario-Apattad, Ms. Kristine Gacer, Atty. Charisse Arevalo, and Ms. Marie Linda Santos also provided inputs during the discussion.
PhilSA Director General Dr. Joel Joseph Marciano then discussed what the Space Program is about and how establishing a clear plan for the future of Philippine Space Economy can help the Philippines reap the benefits in the long term. He emphasized that the Space Program is not just about launching satellites and/or producing top notch Filipino astronauts, but also to achieve the ff:
- preserve and enhance national security and promote development that is beneficial to all Filipinos;
- develop and utilize space S&T applications to enhance the countryโs disaster mitigation strategy and increase resiliency to climate change;
- conducting research and development (R&D) endeavors in space science and other allied fields;
- create a robust space industry with the involvement and cooperation of the private sector;
- to create a pool of Filipino professionals and experts that will play a vital role for the future of the Philippinesโ space program; and
-make the Philippines a key player in the global space community through significant contributions to space S&T.
Deputy Director General for Space Science & Technology Dr. Gay Jane P. Perez also discussed how CFOโs participation for the Philippine Space Week , held every August, can enhance public awareness and appreciation for Philippine space science and technology initiatives, particularly among Filipinos in the diaspora. The Commission's involvement can inspire greater interest and participation from Filipinos living abroad in the country's space endeavors. In this regard, the CFO and PhilSA have agreed to explore potential partnership opportunities and plan to form a dedicated team to advance their collaborative efforts.
By virtue of Republic Act 11363 or the Philippine Space Act, PhilSA is the main agency tasked with planning, developing, implementing, and promoting the Philippine National Space Program through initiatives to advance national development, enhance disaster management efforts, and foster international collaborations.
