By Brian Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday convened the Philippine Space Council to discuss key measures aimed at strengthening the country’s space science and technology capabilities, as part of the administration’s continuing efforts to develop the Philippine space sector.
During its ninth meeting held at Malacañang, the council approved several resolutions and reviewed recent developments in the country’s space program, including ongoing satellite programs, space infrastructure projects, and efforts to enhance the use of space-based data in government operations.
According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), among the measures approved was a resolution declaring the Multispectral Unit for Land Assessment (MULA) Constellation Program a national priority undertaking to “expand the country’s sovereign Earth observation capabilities through locally developed satellites.”
The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) said the MULA satellite, which is targeted for launch as early as April 2027, is expected to support disaster risk reduction, agricultural monitoring, and environmental mapping.
The council also approved the establishment of a Philippine Sovereign Geostationary Telecommunications Satellite Program, which seeks to provide secure and reliable communications services under Philippine control.
“The proposed satellite system would help address connectivity gaps in remote areas, strengthen disaster resilience, and support mission-critical government operations,” the PCO said.
The council likewise adopted a resolution harmonizing satellite data requirements among government agencies to improve planning, monitoring, and decision-making while reducing duplication of resources.
A resolution establishing a national Orbital Debris Response Protocol was also approved to guide government agencies in addressing incidents involving space debris and rocket reentries within Philippine territory and maritime zones.
During the meeting, PhilSA reported that it had monitored 90 space vehicle drop zones within Philippine waters and airspace from June 2022 to May 2026.
The Council also reported to President Marcos Jr. its plans to conduct a sounding rocket test launch in Lal-lo, Cagayan between December 2026 and February 2027 to develop indigenous space launch capabilities.
PH, Japan to continue space cooperation
Meanwhile, PhilSA reaffirmed its commitment to continuing industry partnership with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) following the signing of a Joint Declaration of Interest in Space Cooperation on May 27 during President Marcos Jr.’s state visit to Japan.
Signed by PhilSA Ad Interim Director General Gay Jane Perez and JAXA President Hiroshi Yamakawa, the PH-Japan space cooperation covers satellite joint mission partnership and data applications, space exploration and human spaceflight, as well as space sustainability.
In a news release, PhilSA said the “Philippines looks forward to continuing its partnership with JAXA specifically on applications of Japanese satellite data for environmental monitoring and disaster management.”
Evident of the “positive synergistic path” in deepening collaboration between the two countries, PhilSA and JAXA has co-organized the 31st Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum in Cebu last November 2025, said to be the largest space forum in the region.
The country’s state space bureau also noted that this year marks 20 years of Sentinel Asia, an international cooperation project led by JAXA and the Asian Disaster Reduction Center that contributes to disaster management in the Asia-Pacific region.
From 2024 to 2025, a total of 20 emergency observation requests were made through Sentinel Asia by different Philippine institutions.
“Most of these requests were related to floods, landslides, and storms; two were for earthquakes; one for an oil spill; and one for volcanic activity,” PhilSA stated.
JAXA also provides researchers and students with opportunities to design experiments to be conducted aboard the International Space Station’s (ISS) Kibo module.
This continuing space cooperation between the Philippines and Japan was also backed by Marcos and Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae in their joint statement on the elevation of Manila and Tokyo’s bilateral ties into a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
“The two leaders shared the view that development and cooperation harnessing technological innovation are essential to sustainable prosperity, and also decided to deepen cooperation in the fields of space and digital transformation towards attaining food security,” the leaders’ joint statement read.
