Benise Balaoing

Waist-deep floods inundated a stretch of N.S. Amoranto Street in Quezon City on July 21, 2025. PAGASA is currently monitoring two Low Pressure Areas affecting the country—one located 1,120 km east of Southeastern Luzon and another 405 km east of Calayan, Cagayan.

The enhanced southwest monsoon is expected to bring moderate to heavy, at times intense, rains over Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, and Occidental Mindoro.

Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Habagat amid Crising

Victoria Tulad

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Can the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) help fight corruption?This was the question of Senate Committee on Finance Chairman Sherwin Gatchalian during the agency’s budget deliberation on Wednesday.He was particularly referring to PhilSA’s Multispectral Unit for Land Assessment (MULA) Satellite which can capture and download images as it passes the Philippines.“How can MULA help us avoid those ghost projects? How can technology help us implement projects relevant to people?” Gatchalian asked.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/7/wrap-anger-over-ghost-flood-control-projects-overflows-onto-the-streets-2222" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">WRAP: Anger over &#x27;ghost&#x27; flood control projects overflows onto the streets</a></div>According to PhilSA Deputy Director General Gay Jane Perez, satellite data can be validated with ground information, which can be used in planning and designing projects.“We will get every day updated pictures of river systems?” Gatchalian further asked.  “Certain locations,” replied Perez. “With this information we know what’s happening. And we use MULA together with other satellite sources as well.”“With MULA wala nang ghost projects?” Gatchalian said. “I’m trying to find out how can the investment of government of P2.6 billion help us fight corruption.”“Certainly, Mr. Chair,” Perez answered.The first MULA will be launched in 2026 and PhilSA said it is on track in developing the second satellite.“Our goal is to have a constellation of MULA satellites,” Perez said.  A budget of P2.6 billion was allocated for the first MULA, which covers satellite development, license, launch, and training of engineers.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/business/2024/7/23/agri-dept-ph-space-agency-to-use-satellite-tech-to-boost-productivity-1514">Agri dept, PH Space Agency to use satellite tech to boost productivity </a></div>PhilSA targets to have four MULAs in order to cover the entire country.Sen. Rodante Marcoleta also wants PhilSA to have a role in addressing critical issues such as anomalous flood control projects.“We want to know nasaan ang mga coordinates. The [Department of Public Works and Highways] nagtuturuan na sila ngayon. Dito natin dapat makita ang tulong ninyo. Di ko minemenos ang nagagawa na ninyo in other aspects in our lives. Kaya lang ito yung important ngayon eh,” Marcoleta pointed out.(We want to know the coordinates. The DPWH is now pointing fingers. That is where we need your help. We are not discounting the other things you do, but that is what is important right now)He asked if PhilSA could, for example, detect the banks that corrupt officials use to store ill-gotten money. “Pwede niyo bang ma-detect ngayon kung nasaan si Zaldy Co?” he added.(Can your satellites detect where Zaldy Co is?)AKO BICOL party-list Rep. Zaldy Co is the former chair of the House Appropriations Committee and who is now embroiled in allegations of corruption.He reportedly <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/4/rep-zaldy-co-in-us-house-spox-1345">went to the United States to seek medical treatment</a>.

PhilSA asked at budget hearing: Can satellites help fight corruption?

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PhilSA asked at budget hearing: Can satellites help fight corruption?

Victoria Tulad,

ABS-CBN News

Published September 17, 2025 03:16 PM PHT

Read More:

technology

satellites

Philippine Space Agency

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