The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) recently hosted a high-level delegation from the European Union (EU) and 17 EU Member States to highlight ongoing space cooperation under the EU’s Global Gateway strategy. The visit on April 2, 2025, focused on initiatives that support digital and space sector collaboration, including the Copernicus-based National Copernicus Capacity Support Action Programme for the Philippines (CopPhil).
CopPhil, launched in 2023, aims to improve the Philippines’ capacity to use Earth observation data for disaster risk reduction, environmental monitoring, and climate adaptation. It is jointly managed by the European Space Agency (ESA), PhilSA, and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), with funding from the EU.
Key components of the program include the Copernicus Data Centre, inaugurated in October 2024 as Southeast Asia’s first data hub, as well as pilot services for ground motion and land cover monitoring. It also supports capacity building through technical training and academic scholarships in remote sensing and Earth observation.
PhilSA is leading the integration of space-based technologies into national development planning, particularly in agriculture, disaster resilience, and biodiversity management. EU and Philippine officials reaffirmed their commitment to using satellite data to support long-term sustainability goals, with the Philippines being positioned as a regional hub for Earth observation in Southeast Asia.
(Source: Philippine Space Agency)
