The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to apply space technology in improving irrigation systems and water resource management across the Philippines.
The agreement, signed by PhilSA Ad Interim Director General Gay Jane P. Perez and NIA Administrator Eduardo Eddie G. Guillen, sets the stage for using satellite data and analytics to support planning, development, and monitoring of irrigation systems, for proactive and real-time management of water resources across the country. Under the partnership, the two agencies will collaborate on research, development, and utilization of satellite data, and training to strengthen technical capacity within NIA.
They will also develop space-enabled tools to support faster, data-driven decision-making in irrigation management. PhilSA’s programs will be tapped to enhance NIA’s capabilities and promote sustainable agriculture.
Following the signing of the MOU, PhilSA and NIA are set to further advance their collaboration through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), which will outline specific projects and implementation details of the partnership.
The MOU will be in effect for three years, with an option for extension.
The collaboration highlights the growing role of space technology in addressing national priorities, particularly food security, water sustainability, and climate resilience.
About PhilSA
The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) is the central government agency of the Philippines that plans, develops, and promotes the national space program in line with the Philippine Space Policy. Created in August 2019 under Republic Act No. 11363, or the Philippine Space Act, PhilSA is an attached agency of the Office of the President of the Philippines for purposes of policy and program coordination and to ensure alignment in national policies and priorities.
About NIA
The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) is a government-owned and controlled corporation primarily responsible for irrigation development and management. It was created under Republic Act (RA) 3601 on 22 June 1963. Its charter was amended by Presidential Decree (PD) 552 on 11 September 1974 and PD 1702 on 17 July 1980. Both increased the capitalization and broadened the authority of the Agency. As of 2024, NIA is under the Office of the President, reinforcing its critical role in national food security and irrigation development directly under the President’s office.
