His Excellency President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has appointed Gay Jane P. Perez, Ph.D. as the Director General of the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA).
Dr. Perez previously served as Officer-in-Charge of PhilSA beginning September 2025. Prior to this, she held the position of Deputy Director General for Space Science and Technology (DDGSST) from 2021, bringing with her extensive experience in space science, research and development, and institutional leadership.
Before joining PhilSA, Dr. Perez led the science team behind the development of the Philippines’ first microsatellites, Diwata-1 and Diwata-2. These landmark missions laid the groundwork for subsequent space technology initiatives, including the ongoing development of the Multispectral Unit for Land Assessment (MULA) satellite.
A recipient of the 2021 National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) Outstanding Young Scientist and the 2019 The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service (TOWNS) Award, Dr. Perez is also the first Filipino awardee of the ASEAN-U.S. Science Prize for Women. She was recognized for her groundbreaking research using satellite data to forecast droughts and enhance agricultural productivity. Her contributions have also been acknowledged by the Senate of the Philippines through Resolution No. 923 (17th Congress), underscoring the global excellence of Filipino scientists.
Most recently, Dr. Perez represented the Philippines in key international space initiatives, including collaborative agreement with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), the United Nations Space4Ocean initiative, and the Artemis Accords, which promote the safe, transparent, and sustainable civil exploration of the Moon, Mars, and other celestial bodies.
Dr. Perez earned her doctorate in Physics from the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman and completed her postdoctoral research at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, specializing in remote sensing and satellite data applications. She is also a faculty member of the Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology (IESM), UP Diliman, sharing her expertise with the next generation of Filipino scientists.
As Director General, Dr. Perez will further advance the Philippines’ Yamang Kalawakan by strengthening the national space ecosystem, advancing research and innovation, and the expanding partnerships in support of an inclusive and sustainable national space program.
The Director General of PhilSA holds the rank of a Cabinet Secretary and serves as the Presidential Adviser on Space Matters.
Yamang Kalawakan
“Yamang Kalawakan” refers to the emergent Philippine space ecosystem and embodies the people, institutions, infrastructure, policies, and environment that enable the country to take advantage of the wealth of opportunities in the global space economy. It conveys the importance of outer space as a precious domain and seedbed of innovation that now increasingly contributes to the progress, security, and prosperity of nations.
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.