MANILA — The sounding rocket set for launching in the Philippines in 2027 will be shipped to the country by October, according to Philippine Space Agency's (PhilSA) budget sponsor Representative John Yap.
Tests will still be undertaken, and the rocket’s flight model is being assembled, according to Yap.
“Last August 11, PhilSA engineers left for Korea to undertake 10 weeks of technical and hands-on training on building the sounding rocket. And up to this date, the flight model of the rocket is being assembled with tests to be undertaken. The rocket is set to be completed and shipped to the Philippines in October, on track for the scheduled launch next year,” Yap said during plenary deliberations on the proposed 2027 budget of PhilSA.
P100 million will be spent this year for the rocket launch, according to Yap.
Why the Philippines needs a rocket launch
During his State of the Nation Address (SONA) earlier this year, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced a sounding rocket launch test is scheduled for 2027 in partnership with a South Korean company.
Yap added, the sounding rocket may be used to look into weather and atmosphere conditions.
“It will be a test launch, Mr. Speaker, but the sounding rocket can be used to study weather and atmosphere conditions, radiation, space physics, communications, and new technology,” Yap said.
The U.S. military is not involved in the rocket launch, despite how this is set to be done on an Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) site, according to Yap.
“Dahil EDCA site po ‘yan, obviously, nandiyan po ang presensiya ng U.S. military. It is actively being used by the U.S. military on a rotational basis…. May involvement po ba ang U.S. military sa proyektong ito?” ACT Teachers party-list Representative Antonio Tinio asked.
“Walang involvement,” Yap said.
Yap added, the launch will take place in Lal-lo Airport in Cagayan.
“Of all places in the Philippines, bakit po sa EDCA site gaganapin ‘yung test launch?” Tinio asked.
“Because of the location. Aside from the geographic advantages of being in the country's eastern seaboard, Cagayan has existing infrastructure in place to execute the test launch of a sounding rocket. Furthermore, the area has an institutional and economic zone framework administered by the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority,” Yap replied.
The National Security Council (NSC) earlier stressed EDCA sites are Philippine military installations under the full ownership of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
No credible threat to EDCA sites in PH despite Middle East conflict—DND
PHILSA SAYS NO INVOLVEMENT IN PAX SILICA
PhilSA has no involvement in the contentious Pax Silica project between the Philippines and the United States, according to Yap.
However, the lawmaker admitted PhilSA’s land will be used for the planned industrial hub.
“PhilSA is not involved or connected with Pax Silica,” Yap said, also saying they have “no knowledge about it” when asked if the agency will ever be involved.
“However, may lupa kayo sa New Clark City, ‘di ba? And in fact, ‘yung lupa niyo ay gagamitin para sa Pax Silica. Tama po ba?” ACT Teachers party-list Representative Antonio Tinio asked, to which Yap replied, “Yes.”
The agency will relocate due to this, according to PhilSA’s budget sponsor.
PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT ON PAX SILICA
The Climate Change Commission (CCC) is conducting a preliminary assessment on Pax Silica, particularly on its impact on climate vulnerability, according to Yap.
Prior to this, Kabataan party-list Representative Renee Co said some environmental groups are concerned over the potential environmental impact of the project.
“May early projections now ang ilang environmental groups that Pax Silica may be detrimental to the environment. And so up until now, may mga tumututol sa Pax Silica. Pero this administration is adamant on ensuring that it is signed in November. So ano po bang kayang gawin ng Climate Change Commission na kung anumang budget ilalaan dito, beyond technical assistance on budget tagging sa DENR ay naaayon siya sa climate change mitigation targets, etcetera na gusto nating gawin naman ng buong pamahalaan?” Co asked.
Yap replied, “Ang Climate Change Commission ay mag-a-assess para sa Pax Silica impacts on climate vulnerability, sa NDC, and low carbon development.”
When Co asked if an assessment was already done by CCC, Yap said, “Sa preliminary pa sila.”
PhilSA’s 2027 budget under the National Expenditure Program (NEP) is at over P1.3 billion.
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