The Philippines & EU Collaborate To Launch Asia’s First Joint Space Program Against Climate Disasters

Philippines and EU Space Cooperation Program

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The Philippines is now leveraging space to combat climate disasters.

As a climate-vulnerable country, the Philippines has faced numerous environmental issues brought about by climate risks and disasters. Thankfully, space data can be utilized to help anticipate and manage such issues.

To this end, Philippines and the European Union (EU) have teamed up to launch Asia’s first space cooperation program. This program aims to help the country predict and manage potential climate disasters. With this program, the Philippines hopes to set itself as a focal point for space capabilities in Asia.

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First space program in Asia & Asia Pacific

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Image credit: Philippine Space Agency via Facebook

On Monday, 24th April 2023, the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) and the European Space Agency (ESA) launched the Copernicus Capacity Support Action Program for the Philippines (CopPhil).

This new program will help the country utilize space data from the EU’s Copernicus “the Sentinels” satellites. These satellites observe the earth’s movement and ecosystems 24/7.

Image credit: European Union in the Philippines via Facebook

Coming up to P610,000,000 (~USD10,971,716.20), the program is the first of its kind in Asia and Asia-Pacific. EU’s ambassador to the Philippines, Luc Véron, stated that the country is an obvious candidate for this project as it has dealt with many natural disasters. The country also has made use of the Copernicus data in the past.

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More range in space

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Image credit: Philippine Space Agency via Facebook 

The program will allow the Philippines to optimize space data through the EU’s satellite missions. According to PhilSA Director General Joel Marciano, this means that “whatever is available [in the EU] will be available here in the Philippines for use by communities”.

Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum also stated that the program can be used for monitoring other national environmental issues such as observing the oil spill happening in Oriental Mindoro.

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Hopes for a stronger economy and society

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Naturally, our country will largely benefit from this alliance. From monitoring data to aiding the government’s decision-making, the Philippines will be able to adapt quicker and better during environmental crises.

Suffice it to say, everyone is hopeful that this will help the country become a better nation when it comes to dealing with climate issues.

For more current affairs in the Philippines, check out The Smart Local Philippines.

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Cover image adapted from: Philippine Space Agency via Facebook