Philippine Space Agency

In 2007, Ms. Helen Flores, Philippine Star writer wrote the following article that is still archived by Sol Vanzi’s news flash:

MANILA, JANUARY 8, 2007 (STAR) By Helen Flores – A retiring government scientist dreams of creating the Philippines’ first aeronautics and space agency that would bring much progress to Filipinos through science and technology.

Space science chief Bernardo Soriano of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the proposed Philippine Aeronautics and Space Administration (PASA) would be similar to the United States’ National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the acknowledged world leader in aeronautics and space exploration. More on this article here…

Of course the project would not prosper.  It will entail a lot of costs.  Someone on ABS CBN’s USAPANG KAPAMILYA FORUM even had the nerve to write this comment about the proposed PASA:

Am I missing something ?  This guy Soriano wants the Phil govt to spend countless BILLIONS of dollars for space exploration.  How can the country build a spaceship when it can hardly afford to maintain World War 2 vintage, propeller-driven planes for the Phil Air Force to DEFEND the nation? The country cant even produce a decent CAR, much LESS a plane….and NOW he wants to build a spaceship???

WTF is going on in these people’s coconuts?  And this reta rd  is THE space science CHIEF !!!!!   I can tell you WHAT SPACE he should start exploring – that VAST BASTION OF NOTHINGNESS BETWEEN HIS EARS !!!!

This govt is full of comedians!!!

 This is not the first time that a proposal like that was submitted to the Philippine Government.  Around 1988-1989, Gen. Batenga now retired, received from the same individuals that started Resource Recovery Movement, a proposal addressed to Her Excellency Corazon Cojuangco Aquino for the creation of a Philippine Satellite Communications, Research Research and Development Office or PHILSACOM.

No reaction was received from then Pres. Aquino.  Using space for environmental purposes has many advantages.  Using satellite extensively, has myriads of applications, solutions to many of our questions.

RP has a privately owned Satellite already.  Therefore, a Space Agency is already a doable affair.  It does not have to be as expensive anymore and the Madame Cory Aquino might even smile at us from where she is. A Thai wrote a Dissertation on an ASEAN Space Agency (ASA) similar in some way to the European Space Agency (ESA) or inspired therefrom, as well as NASA.

The concept for a Philippine space agency has come of age. It is high time, as retired PAG ASA pencil pusher Engr. Bernardo Soriano said to Miss Flores of the Philippine Star.  Onlt the use of space could increase our accuracy in predicting ecological disturbances, nature’s infirmities, climatic behavior, weather, storms, typhoons and hurricanes, among many, many others.

The Agila Satellite can be more maximized if only we had a really functional and driven, space agency. Those that immediately resist the idea of a space agency can think twice first…