PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is eyeing to use satellite mapping data to create a comprehensive inventory of the country’s natural resources and to attract more investors.
At Monday’s inaugural meeting of the Philippine Space Council (PSC) which he chairs, Marcos highlighted the practical applications of satellite data for government initiatives particularly for food production.
He noted the ongoing government efforts to “quantify” the country’s bio assets in fisheries and agriculture.
The data, the President said, can also draw in firms that are interested in offsetting their carbon emissions by developing “bio-diverse” areas.
“The first step of that will be to map [the bio-diverse areas],” Marcos said.
The PSC will be signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the satellite mapping measure.
Marcos urged the PSC to enter into more of such agreements with the different agencies in other countries, which were involved in satellite imaging.
Also tackled during the PSC meeting was the proposed National Space Week or Pambansang Linggo ng Kalawakan from August 8 to 14 beginning next year.
The week-long celebration aims “to promote space awareness, espouse the benefits of space and its impact on the lives of the people, celebrate the contribution of Filipinos in the field of space and inspire the future generation.”