Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

6413
HOUSE BILL

Introduced by Hon. Salvador B. Belaro Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The establishment of a space technology development and utilization
framework in our country is an idea that has come of age.

With a strong and visionary national space policy, the Philippines can
become a significant member and contributor to the global space community
today and in the future. It can provide benefits to Filipinos, not just in the
economic sense, but also in terms of societal benefits and social inclusivity.

Thus, there is a need for a national space program aimed at complementing
research and development ives in our country, establishing our very own
space agency and the application of space science and technology for the interest
of the Filipino people and the rest of mankind.

In view of the foregoing considerations, passage of this important
legislation is earnestly sought.

fb, A
SALVADOR B. BELARO, JR.
Representative
1-Ang Edukasyon Party List


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 6413

Introduced by: Hon. Salvador B. Belaro Jr.

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A PHILIPPINE SPACE DEVELOPMENT AND
UTILIZATION FRAMEWORK AND CREATING THE PHILIPPINE
SPACE AGENCY (PhilSA), DEFINING THE SCOPE OF ITS POWERS
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines
in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the “Philippine Space Act of 2017”.
SECTION 2. It is hereby declared the policy of the State:

a) To safeguard Philippine sovereignty, territorial integrity, Philippine
national interest, and the right to self-determination as mandated by the
Article II, Section 7 of the 1987 Constitution;

b) To support and commit to the development of science and technology that
will foster patriotism and nationalism and accelerate social progress, such
as the development of space and technology and applications for its
security and for the benefit of our citizens;

c) To ensure access to space and its environs as a sovereign right;


d) To recognize that there is an urgent need to create a coherent and unified
strategy for space development and utilization to keep up with other
nations in terms of space science and technology;

e) To ensure that the Philippines has official representation in the
international space community for establishing cooperation agreements
and linkages on space development;

f) To ensure that the Philippines abides by the various international space
treaties and principles promulgated by the United Nations and that it
becomes an active participant in the international space community.

SECTION 3. The Philippine Space Development and Utilization Policy, or the
Philippine Space Policy, will serve as the country’s primary strategic roadmap
for space development and embodies the country’s central goal of becoming a
capable and faring nation in space science.

It shall focus on areas of space science technology application (SSTA) that
would address national issues, promote the efficient utilization of space assets,
establish capacity-building measures for human resources development and
enhance international cooperation and linkages.

SECTION 4. The Philippine Space Policy will focus on six (6) Key Development
Areas (KDA) for SSTA development to ensure the State’s sustained
development:

a) National Security and Development — The Philippines will focus on space
applications that can preserve and enhance country’s national security and
promote development that is beneficial to all Filipinos;

b) Hazard Management and Climate Studies — The Philippine will develop
and utilize space science and technology applications to enhance our
hazard management and disaster mitigation strategy as well as ensure the
nation’s resiliency to climate change;

c) Space Research and Development — To spur rapid scientific growth, the
Philippines will focus on conducting research and development endeavors
in vital areas of space science, technology and allied fields;

d) Space Industry Capacity Building — The Philippines will create a robust
and thriving space industry to support the country’s space program through
private sector involvement and cooperation;


e) Space Education and Awareness — The Phili
sustainable pool of trained space scientists, engineers and communicators
that will be critical for the country’s future space program and increasing
public awareness on its value and benefits;

£) International Cooperation — Through international partnerships and
collaborations, the Philippines will become a key player in the ASEAN and
global space-community by providing significant contributions and
capabilities on SSTA.

SECTION 5. A Philippine Space Agency, hereinafter referred to as the “PhilSA”,
is hereby established as the central government agency addressing all national
activities related to space science and technology applications.

The PhilSA shall be the primary administrative entity responsible for the
planning, development and promotion of national space program in line with the
Philippine Space Policy.

SECTION 6. The PhilSA shall exercise the following powers and functions:

I. Policy and Planning Coordination

a. Assist the State in the creation, development and implementation of
national and international space policies;

b. Plan, direct, manage and implement programs and projects relating
to scientific space research and development, and its applications;

c. Take hold of financial assets such as cash, securities or other
personal or moveable property by gift or bequest, and expend,
administer or dispose of any such money, securities or property
subject to terms, if any, on which the gift or bequest was made in
such manner as shall best promote the objectives of PhilSA;

d. Implement the Philippine Space Development and Utilization Policy

e. Coordinate all space activities of various sectors and stakeholders in
the Philippines;

f. Provide appropriate and accurate advice to the President of the
Philippines and other government agencies on space-related issues
and concerns


IL

Ti.

Improved Public Access and Resource-Sharing
a. Develop, construct, acquire, manage, maintain and operate space
research; development and operation facilities and systems on behalf
of the Philippine government for use of various government
agencies;
b. Assist departments and other agencies of the State in the utilization
of SSTA to aid in the performance of their respective mandates and
duties

Research and Development

a. Perform basic and applied research and development relating to
SSTA in collaboration with universities, industries and other
institutions;

b. Design, develop and construct space systems and facilities necessary
thereof, as well as launch, track and operate the satellites on behalf
of the Philippine government;

c. Promote the growth of space science and technology through
research and development;

IV. Education and Capacity Building

ve

a. Establish programs that would develop space education and promote
public awareness;

b. Provide grants and contributions in support programs or projects
relating to scientific or industrial space research and development,
and application of space technology:

c. Provide services and facilities for the use by entities conducting
academic research and development relating to SSTA

Industry Development

a. Promote the development of robust and vibrant local space industry
and economy;

b. Promote the transfer and diffusion of space technology throughout
Philippine industries;

c. Encourage the commercial use of space capabilities, technology,
information, facilities and systems;

d. Disseminate the results of research and development activities and
promote the utilization thereof, except when information is deemed


confidential for national welfare and security and for the protection
of intellectual property rights;

VI. International Cooperation
a. Cooperate with space-related agencies of other countries in the
peaceful use and development of space;
b. Enter into contracts, memoranda of understanding/agreement or
other arrangements in behalf of the State;
c. Establish and maintain linkages with other national space agencies
and organizations.

SECTION 7. The PhilSA shall be an attached agency of the Office of the
President for purposes of policy and program coordination, to ensure alignment
in national policies and priorities. It shall be headed by a Director General. The
PhilSA proper shall be composed of the Office of the Director General, the
Offices of the Deputy Directors and various Divisions to be created as deemed

necessary.

SECTION 8. The astronomical and space-related functions of the following
offices and units shall be transferred and consolidated to PhilSA, from its parent
agency:

a) Philippines Aerospace Development Corporation from the Department of
Transportation

b) Manila Planetarium from the National Museum

c) Philippines Space Education Institute from the Department of Science and
Technology

Non-Diminution of Mandates — Nothing in this Act shall diminish the
functions and responsibilities of the foregoing support agencies.

SECTION 9. The PhilSA, Department of Budget and Management, Civil Service
Commission, and other government agencies concerned shall formulate the
necessary implementing rules and regulations within ninety (90) days from the
effectivity of this Act.


SECTION 10. The Philippine Space Development Fund to be used exclusively
for the PhilSA shall be administered by the Director General of PhilSA in
accordance with existing government budgeting, accounting and auditing rules
and regulations. The fund shall be sourced from the following:

a) The amount of ten billion pesos (P10,000,000,000.00) to be taken from the
share of the National Government in the gross income of the Philippine
Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and the Bases
Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA). For five (5) years after
the effectivity of this Act, an amount of two billion pesos
(P2,000,000,000.00) per year shall be released to the PhilSA. The entire
amount of ten billion pesos (P10,000,000,000.00), including any interest
income thereon, shall be used exclusively for capital outlay;

b) Income from specialized products, services and royalties produced by the
PhilSA;

c) Loans, contributions, grants, bequests, gifts, and donations whether from
local or foreign sources. Provided, that acceptance of grants, bequests,
contributions and donations from foreign governments shall be subject to
the approval of the President upon the recommendation of the Director
General of the PhilSA and Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
The Director General with the approval of the NEDA and subsequently the
Department of Finance is hereby granted the authority to enter into loan
agreements with foreign financial institutions.

SECTION 11. The sum of one billion pesos (P1,000,000,000.00) is hereby
appropriated as initial operating fund of the PhilSA, taken from the current fiscal
year’s appropriation of the Office of the President, Department of Science and
Technology, and Department of National Defense. Thereafter, the amount needed
for the operation and maintenance of the PhilSA shall be included in the General
Appropriations Act.

SECTION 12. If any provision hereof is held invalid or unconstitutional, the
remainder of the law or provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid and
subsisting.


SECTION 13. All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 14. This act shall take effect immediately upon its approval.

Approved.