Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 11363)
The short title of Republic Act No. 11363 is the "Philippine Space Act."
The declared policies include safeguarding Philippine sovereignty and territorial integrity, supporting the development and utilization of space science and technology, ensuring access to outer space as a sovereign right, creating a unified strategy for space development, securing official representation in the international space community, and abiding by international space treaties and principles.
PhilSA stands for the Philippine Space Agency.
The PhilSA is the primary policy, planning, coordinating, implementing, and administrative entity of the Executive Branch tasked to plan, develop, and promote the national space program in accordance with the Philippine Space Policy.
The six KDAs are: (a) National Security and Development; (b) Hazard Management and Climate Studies; (c) Space Research and Development; (d) Space Industry Capacity Building; (e) Space Education and Awareness; and (f) International Cooperation.
The PhilSA is headed by a Director General who holds the rank and compensation of a Cabinet Secretary.
They must be Filipino citizens and residents, have good moral character, proven integrity, an advanced degree in Space Science, Astronomy, Physics, Engineering or related fields, and at least five years of expertise in fields related to space science and technology.
The PSC is the principal advisory body for coordinating and integrating policies, programs, and resources affecting space science and technology applications. It approves space policies, allocates resources, and approves strategic decisions for PhilSA implementation.
The PhilSA's funds come from the annual General Appropriation, income, fees, royalties, and other revenues, including a special Philippine Space Development Fund sourced from PAGCOR and BCDA share, income from specialized products, and grants or contributions.
The Fund is a special budget exclusively for PhilSA, consisting of P10 billion from PAGCOR and BCDA shares over five years, income from products and services, and grants. It is intended for capital outlay to support space development activities.
The Philippines commits to abiding by international space treaties such as the Outer Space Treaty, Liability Convention, and Registration Convention, maintaining a national registry of space objects and assuming liability for damages caused by Philippine-registered space objects.
PhilSA performs basic and applied R&D in space science and technology, designs and manages space systems and facilities, and promotes the growth of space science and technology through collaborative research.
Employees separated within six months due to consolidation are entitled to separation benefits under Executive Order No. 366, series of 2004, or may retire with applicable retirement benefits if qualified under existing laws.
The official site will be within the Clark Special Economic Zone in Pampanga and Tarlac on at least 30 hectares of land administered by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).
The Act took effect fifteen days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in two newspapers of general circulation.