Philippine Space Act Signed - Encouraging Pinoys To Reach Outer Space

For the longest time, we are one of the many countries which have not given thought or opportunity to consider space as one of the frontiers Filipinos can go to. Mainly because it is always overshadowed and deemed to be not beneficial to the public. However it obvious that many of technologies today were a precedent of innovations made during the space race. 

As OFWs already conquered the world with their exodus to almost every part of the world, it is indeed time to consider having our own astronauts or space scientists that will develop complex yet very useful data collection and convert it to tools that will help the country especially in times of disasters, calaminties, etc.

The Senate Bill No. 1211: Philippine Space Act was filed last October 16, 2018 by Sen. Bam Aquino, and now has been signed by Predident Duterte. 

According to its explanatory note, "This bill seeks the creation of a Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA), which shall be responsible for creating and enacting our nation's roadmap toward becoming fully participative in global space activity."

This will now formally open a Philippine Space Agency which is proposed to be set up in Clark Special Economic Zone with a initial budget of 1 Billion Pesos and 2 Billion Pesos per year will be added  to reach the initial capital of 10 Billion pesos. The agency will also produce its funds from the royalties and other activities related to the field.

Though this is good news, there is a huge scarcity of qualified individuals for the agency, since there are only a few schools that offer courses related to Astronomy and space technology development, and engineering. With the bill passed, it will encourage interest for the career and also invoke educational institutions to include a space-related curriculum.

For now, it is already a huge leap for Philippine space exploration and research to lay a solid foundation and encourage the younger generation about the vast applications and opportunities this could lead them to. We can now dream of a the first Filipino astronaut, space colony, and even wider discoveries which large nations may seem to overlook. It's time to hear our cheers to space and beyond.