The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance the Philippines’ maritime security capabilities at the National Headquarters, Port Area, Manila, on 11 June 2024.

Signed by the PCG Commandant, CG Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan and the PhilSA Director General Joel Joseph Marciano Jr, the MOU establishes a framework for cooperation to expand and deepen the use of Space Science and Technology Applications (SSTA) in bolstering maritime domain awareness (MDA).

CG Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan expressed his profound gratitude, emphasizing PhilSA’s pivotal role in providing solutions for enhancing the PCG’s MDA capabilities and committing to being a key recipient of PhilSA’s SSTA products.

As underscored by the PCG Deputy Commandant for Operations, CG Vice Admiral Rolando Lizor Punzalan Jr, this collaboration addresses the pressing need to secure our vast maritime territories, aligning with the PCG’s modernization effort. He also emphasized that both agencies recognize the crucial role of space capabilities in addressing present and future challenges and pledge mutual support and collaboration.

Likewise, Director General Marciano Jr expressed his gratitude for the partnership and underscored the alignment with national goals of becoming a space-capable nation.

The PCG and PhilSA aim to leverage satellite imagery and space technology to develop effective strategies for maritime security, emphasizing the importance of synergy between maritime and outer space domains for safety, security, and sustainability.

Witnessing the said signing ceremony were Chief of Coast Guard Staff, CG Rear Admiral Hostillo Cornelio; Acting Commander, CG Weapons Communications, Electronics and Information System Command, CG Commodore Joven Fabul; PhilSA Deputy DG for Space Operations, Infrastructure and Industry, Director Denis Villorente; Director IV, Space Industry and Strategic Business Development Bureau, Rolando Martinez; and other senior PCG and PhilSA Officers.

[Photos by CG SN2 Malnegro/ CGPAS]

Read PCG’s original article here.