The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) signed a 50-year contract for the lease of a hectare of land in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac, which will serve as the official headquarters of the country’s space agency.

PhilSA Director General Dr. Joel Joseph S. Marciano, Jr. and BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer (PCEO) Engr. Joshua M. Bingcang on Thursday, August 29, led the ceremonial signing held at the BCDA office in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City. PhilSA Deputy Director General for Space Science and Technology Dr. Gay Jane P. Perez, Deputy Director General for Space Operations, Infrastructure and Industry Denis F. Villorente, and other PhilSA and BCDA officials were present during the signing.

“This milestone is about growth and collaboration. As we continue to build on PhilSA’s progress over the past five years, we are strengthening not just the space agency but also the domestic space ecosystem, our ‘#YamangKalawakan.’ We are pleased to be building in New Clark City with BCDA as we seize opportunities in the global space economy together,” said PhilSA Director General Marciano.

The lease of a one-hectare property in New Clark City is part of the at least 30 hectares of land in the Clark Special Economic Zone in Pampanga and Tarlac allocated for PhilSA, as mandated in Section 17 of Republic Act No. 11363 or the Philippine Space Act.

The establishment of the PhilSA headquarters in New Clark City is expected to host about 350 personnel in the near term, most of which are space scientists, engineers, and researchers. The facilities to be put up are aimed at enhancing the country’s capabilities in space science, technology, and applications (SSTA) by enabling tighter industry, academe and government engagement, and creating opportunities for highly technical jobs, products and services.

“Once built, we are confident that the Philippines will have one of the most modern space centers in Southeast Asia; and what better place for this to happen than in New Clark City, the first smart and disaster-resilient city in the Philippines,” said BCDA PCEO Engr. Bingcang.

The lease contract involves the first phase of PhilSA’s official site development, which includes PhilSA’s headquarters and facilities at the National Government Administrative Center in New Clark City. The second phase of the development, meanwhile, is intended to host further expansion of space research & development and operations infrastructure of the agency. Currently, PhilSA holds office in Quezon City, and operates ground station facilities in the University of the Philippines Diliman and in Davao city.

In line with BCDA’s thrust for sustainable development, PhilSA will ensure the development of the space center in New Clark City is aligned with the people-centric, business-friendly, sustainable, and green design principles.