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Esguerra is the acting socioeconomic planning secretary

February 1, 2016

In his new capacity as Director-General of NEDA, Esguerra will also be the


vice-chair of the NEDA Board.
Posted under Briefing Room, National Economic and Development Authority Tagged APEC
2015, APEC Economic Leaders Meeting, Arsenio Balisacan, Emmanuel Esguerra, National
Economic and Development Authority, Philippine Center for Economic Development, Philippine
Development Plan, Philippine Institute for Development Studies, Philippine Statistics
Authority, press releases, Public-Private Partnership,University of the Philippines

South integrated terminal system set for construction


January 26, 2016

With the South ITS connecting different modes of transportation and


services, the public can expect more efficient and seamless transfers.
Posted under Briefing Room, Department of Transportation and
Communications Tagged Department of Transportation and Communications,National Capital
Region, press releases, public transportation, Public-Private Partnership, transportation

Construction of the Mactan-Cebu airport begins


January 26, 2016

The construction of the passenger terminal alone is expected to create 3,000


jobs during the construction period which is two years.
Posted under Briefing Room, National Economic and Development Authority, Public-Private
Partnership Center Tagged airports, Cebu,Department of Transportation and
Communications, infrastructure, modernization, press releases, public transportation, PublicPrivate Partnership, Public-Private Partnership Center, Region 7, tourism, transportation

First PPP school infrastructure project completed


January 6, 2016

Last December 04, 2015, 9,296 classrooms were constructed in Region I, III,
and IV-A.
Posted under Briefing Room, Department of Education Tagged classrooms, Department of
Education, press releases, Public-Private Partnership,Public-Private Partnership Center, Region
1, Region 3, Region 4-A

NLEX-SLEX connector road project green-lit


December 23, 2015

The connector road is expected to reduce travel time between NLEX and
SLEX to about 20 minutes.
Posted under Briefing Room, Public-Private Partnership Center Tagged National Economic and
Development Authority, North Luzon Expressway,press releases, Public-Private
Partnership, Public-Private Partnership Center, South Luzon Expressway

LRT Line 6 project moves forward


December 23, 2015

The LRT 6 project is the proposed 19km railway from Niyog, Bacoor to
Dasmarias City, Cavite. It will connect to the existing LRT-1 Cavite extension
project.
Posted under Briefing Room, Public-Private Partnership Center Tagged Cavite, Department of
Transportation and Communications, Light Rail Transit System, press releases, Public-Private
Partnership, Public-Private Partnership Center

Statement:14-18,
Presidential
December
2015 Spokesperson Lacierda on the week of
December 19, 2015

Presidential Spokesperson Lacierda: [T]he President remains firmly


committed to bringing about institutional reforms and a brighter future for
coming generations of Filipinos.
Posted under Briefing Room, Office of the Presidential Spokesperson Tagged anticorruption, Edwin Lacierda, National Economic and Development Authority, NEDA
Board, Office of the Presidential Spokesperson, Philippine Amusement and Gaming
Corporation, Public-Private Partnership, statements, United Nations Convention Against
Corruption, weekly statement

Unified ticketing system good to go


December 17, 2015

The new ticketing system uses only one card for all three lines, cutting
queuing time and allowing seamless transfers from one rail line to another.
Posted under Briefing Room, Department of Transportation and
Communications Tagged Department of Transportation and Communications,Light Rail Transit
System, Metro Rail Transit System, public transportation, Public-Private Partnership, PublicPrivate Partnership Center,transportation

More trade and employment for Filipinos after APEC


December 1, 2015

The recent bilateral meetings of the Philippines with APEC membereconomies enable parties to identify potential investment areas and
employment opportunities.
Posted under Briefing Room, Department of Labor and Employment Tagged agriculture, APEC
2015, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation,Australia, automotive industry, banking, business
process outsourcing industry, construction industry, Department of Labor and
Employment,Eastern Europe, economy, electronic industry, employment, energy, exports, food
industry, foreign relations, human resource, imports, information and communications
technology, infrastructure, iron and steel industry, Japan, Japan Economic Partnership
Agreement, labor, livestock industry,manufacturing, Mexico, New Zealand, oil, Papua New
Guinea, press releases, Public-Private Partnership, renewable energy, Russia, shipping
industry, South Korea, tourism, trade, United States of America

President Aquino at the 2015 FOCAP Presidential Forum


October 27, 2015

President Benigno S. Aquino III talks with the members of the Foreign
Correspondents Association of the Philippines.
Posted under Historical Papers & Documents, Speeches Tagged airports, APEC 2015, AsiaPacific Economic Cooperation, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, Association of Southeast
Asian Nations, Aurora, Australia, Bangsamoro Basic Law, Bangsamoro peace process, Benigno
S. Aquino III, Build Back Better, Cebu, China, Clark International Airport, Conditional Cash
Transfer, Credit Ratings, El Nio, Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, Foreign
Correspondents Association of the Philippines, foreign relations, Iloilo, infrastructure, Lando
(storm), media,modernization, national defense, national security, Ninoy Aquino International
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Corporation, Public-Private Partnership, refugees, Region 3, Region 6, Region 7, Relief
(Lando), small and medium enterprises,South China Sea, speeches, Status of Visiting Forces
Agreement, Trans-Pacific Partnership, United States of America, Video, West Philippine Sea
MRT-3
gets new rail grinding
machine
PUBLIC-PRIVATE
PARTNERSHIP
October 7, 2015

With its own rail grinding machine, the MRT-3 management can minimize
costs and operational disruptions by ensuring better track upkeep.
Posted under Briefing Room, Department of Transportation and
Communications Tagged Beep card, Department of Transportation and
Communications, Metro Rail Transit System, press releases, public
transportation, Public-Private Partnership, transportation

Econ Managers: Institutionalize good governance


October 1, 2015

Economic managers say the Philippines can graduate to a stage where


economic growth is even faster, is sustained for the long term, and is more
inclusive.
Posted under Briefing Room, Department of Finance Tagged Arsenio
Balisacan, Cesar Purisima, Department of Finance, economic growth,economy, good
governance, human capital, infrastructure, Public-Private Partnership

Operations and maintenance qualification up for five regional airports


August 16, 2015

5 firms are expected to join the bid for airport modernization in Bacolod,
Iloilo, Davao, Languindingan, and Bohol.
Posted under Briefing Room, Department of Transportation and
Communications Tagged airports, aviation industry, Bohol, Davao, Department of
Transportation and Communications, Iloilo, infrastructure, press releases, PublicPrivate Partnership, Region 12, Region 6, Region 7

San Diego economic mission members encouraged to invest in PPP projects


August 6, 2015

In light of the sustained economic growth of the Philippines, the Department


of Trade and Industry invited members of the San Diego economic mission to
invest in future PPP projects.
Posted under Briefing Room, Department of Trade and Industry Tagged Department
of Trade and Industry, investments, press releases, Public-Private Partnership

Modernization of Sasa Port Project attracts several foreign firms


July 28, 2015

The first Public-Private-Partnership Project in Mindanao is set to open bidding


later this year. The Sasa Port modernization project aims to make transport in
the Davao region more efficient in terms of speed and quality of service.
Posted under Briefing Room, Department of Transportation and
Communications Tagged Davao, Department of Transportation and
Communications, Mindanao, ports, press releases, Public-Private Partnership, Region
11

[English] Benigno S. Aquino III, Sixth State of the Nation Address, July 27, 2015
July 27, 2015

More than five years have passed since we put a stop to the culture of
wang-wang, not only in our streets, but in society at large; since we
formally took an oath to fight corruption to eradicate poverty; and since the
Filipino people, our bosses, learned how to hope once more. My bosses, this
is the story of our journey along the Straight Path.
Posted under Historical Papers & Documents, Speeches, State of the Nation
Address Tagged agriculture, Anti-Dynasty Law, Armed Forces of the
Philippines, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, Autonomous Region of Muslim
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and Communications, Ebola virus
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Act, Government-Owned or -Controlled Corporations, health, House of
Representatives,infrastructure, Jesse Robredo, Jovito Palparan, K to
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Army, national security, National Security Council, Oplan Lambat-Sibat, overseas
Filipino workers, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, patrol jeeps, peace
process, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, Philippine Atmospheric
Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, Philippine Competition
Act, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Philippine Institute for Development
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transportation, Public-Private Partnership, Public-Private Partnership
Center,Responsible Parenthood, scholarships, Senate, Social Weather
Stations, SONA 2015, South China Sea, speeches, State of the Nation Address,state
visit, survey, tax evasion, taxes, Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority, translations, transportation, University of the Philippines, West Philippine
Sea, YolandaPH, Zamboanga siege

Benigno S. Aquino III, Sixth State of the Nation Address, July 27, 2015
July 27, 2015

Ito ang aking ikaanim na SONA. Muli akong humaharap sa Kongreso at sa


sambayanan upang iulat ang lagay ng ating bansa. Mahigit limang taon na
ang lumilipas mula nang itinigil natin ang wang-wang, hindi lang sa kalsada,
kundi sa buong lipunan; mula nang pormal tayong nanumpang labanan ang

katiwalian upang masugpo ang kahirapan; at mula nang natuto muling


mangarap ang Pilipino. Mga Boss, ito ang kuwento ng ating paglalakbay sa
Daang Matuwid. Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III, Sixth State of the Nation
Address, July 27, 2015
Posted under Historical Papers & Documents, Speeches, State of the Nation
Address Tagged agriculture, Anti-Dynasty Law, Armed Forces of the
Philippines, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, Autonomous Region of Muslim
Mindanao, aviation industry, Bangsamoro Basic Law,Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom
Fighters, Bangsamoro peace process, Benigno S. Aquino III, budget, Bureau of
Internal Revenue, Cebu and Bohol Earthquake, classrooms, Communist Party of the
Philippines, Conditional Cash Transfer, Congress, coronavirus, Department of
Education,Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Public Works and
Highways, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Transportation
and Communications, Ebola virus
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Representatives, infrastructure, Jesse Robredo, Jovito Palparan, K to
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Stations, SONA 2015, South China Sea, speeches, State of the Nation Address, state
visit, survey, tax evasion, taxes, Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority, transportation, University of the Philippines, West Philippine
Sea,YolandaPH, Zamboanga siege

Muntinlupa-Cavite expressway set to open this Friday


July 21, 2015

The first Public-Private Partnership (PPP) road project under the


administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III is now opened to the public.
Posted under Briefing Room, Department of Public Works and
Highways Tagged Cavite, Department of Public Works and Highways, Las Pias
City, Manila, Muntinlupa City, National Capital Region, press releases, Public-Private
Partnership, roads and highways

Tap-and-go ticketing system trial a success


July 21, 2015

With minor glitches to be addressed, the new beep cards will be available in
other LRT-2 stations in the next two weeks.
Posted under Briefing Room, Department of Transportation and
Communications Tagged Department of Transportation and Communications,Light
Rail Transit System, National Capital Region, press releases, public
transportation, Public-Private Partnership, transportation

What makes the new Contactless Card better than the Old Card?
July 20, 2015

The new Contactless Card can be used for three (3) rail lines: LRT-1, LRT-2,
and MRT-3.
Posted under Briefing Room, Public-Private Partnership
Center Tagged infographic, Light Rail Transit System, Metro Rail Transit
System, National Capital Region, press releases, public transportation,
New
ticketing system starts PARTNERSHIP
pilot test at LRT-2
PUBLIC-PRIVATE
July 20, 2015

Under the testing phase, a limited number of new single journey and stored
value tickets branded as beep cards will initially be sold for P 20.00 at the
projects pilot station in Legarda. Pilot testing of the new cardsthrough a
limited public trial at the Legarda Station, begins today.
Posted under Briefing Room, Department of Transportation and
Communications Tagged Department of Transportation and Communications,Light
Rail Transit System, press releases, public transportation, Public-Private
Partnership, transportation

NEDA Board approves new civil registry project


July 16, 2015

The project involves the computerization of the civil registry operations of


the PSA and is designed to collect, store, maintain, and manage civil registry
documents and the specimen signatures of all city and municipal registrars
using imaging technology.
Posted under Briefing Room, National Economic and Development
Authority Tagged National Economic and Development Authority, NEDA Board,press
releases, Public-Private Partnership, roads and highways

World-class Davao Sasa Port to boost export industry


July 9, 2015

In a study, it was found that Davao Regions container traffic is projected to


increase by at least six percent (6%) annually over the next 25 years, which
will amount to three million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) by 2040.
Posted under Briefing Room, Department of Transportation and
Communications Tagged Davao, Department of Transportation and
Communications, exports, imports, ports, press releases, Public-Private
Partnership, Region 11

Statement: Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte on the week of June 29-July 3, 2015
July 4, 2015

In line with the administrations thrust to continuously improve our countrys


infrastructure and transportation services, President Aquino on Monday
visited the development projects at the Puerto Princesa Airport and MactanCebu International Airport.
Posted under Briefing Room, Office of the Presidential Spokesperson Tagged Abigail
Valte, airports, Cebu, foreign relations, infrastructure,national defense, national
security, Office of the Presidential Spokesperson, Palawan, Philippine Air
Force, Philippine Republic Day, Public-Private Partnership, Region 4-B, Region
7, statements, weekly statement

Speech of President
International
Airport Aquino during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Mactan-Cebu
June 29, 2015

Pangulong Aquino: Sa pagpapaunlad nga po ng inyong airport, talagang


namumuhunan tayo para sa kinabukasan Resulta: Dadami ang
mahihikayat na tumungo rito, na muli namang magdudulot ng mga
oportunidad, at siyang magpapatuloy sa siklo ng pag-asenso.
Posted under Historical Papers & Documents, Speeches Tagged airports, Benigno S.
Aquino III, Cebu, Department of Transportation and
Communications, infrastructure, press releases, Public-Private Partnership, Region
7, speeches, transportation

Statement: Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda on the week of June 29-July 3, 2015
June 29, 2015

This morning, the President traveled to Palawan to inspect the progress of


the Puerto Princesa Airport Development Project, which is slated for
completion by January 2017.
Posted under Briefing Room, Office of the Presidential
Spokesperson Tagged airports, Cebu, Edwin Lacierda, infrastructure, Office of the
Presidential Spokesperson, Palawan, Public-Private Partnership, Region 4-B, Region
7, statements, weekly statement

VIDEO: President Aquino at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Mactan-Cebu International


Airport
June 29, 2015

President Benigno S. Aquino III will deliver a speech this afternoon at the
groundbreaking ceremony of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport. Watch
the livestream on the Official Gazette online.
Posted under Video Tagged airports, Benigno S. Aquino III, Cebu, Department of
Transportation and Communications, infrastructure, press releases, Public-Private
Partnership, Region 7, transportation, Video

PH breaks ground for worlds first resort airport


June 28, 2015

Mactan-Cebu touted to be first of several world-class airports.


Posted under Briefing Room, Department of Transportation and
Communications Tagged airports, Cebu, Department of Transportation and
Communications, infrastructure, press releases, Public-Private Partnership, Region
7, transportation

PH most improved country in Asia-Pacific for PPP readiness The Economist


May 22, 2015

The Philippines has been recognized as most improved country in Asia-Pacific


for PPP readiness in the recent report by The Economist Intelligence Unit last
April.
Posted under Briefing Room, Public-Private Partnership Center Tagged press
releases, Public-Private Partnership, Public-Private Partnership Center, The
Economist

Secretary Balisacan, at the PH-Australia PPP Policy Dialogue


May 21, 2015

NEDA Director-General Balisacan: I am proud to say that the Philippines PPP


program has come a long way in terms of developing bankable PPP projects
and ensuring that they are successfully tendered.
Posted under Briefing Room, National Economic and Development
Authority Tagged Arsenio Balisacan, Australia, foreign relations, National Economic
and Development Authority, Public-Private Partnership, speeches

Older entries

Statement of Arsenio Balisacan


Economic Planning Secretary and NEDA Director-General
On the 2015 fourth quarter and full-year performance of the Philippine economy
[Delivered on January 28, 2016, at the Eton Centris Building, Quezon City]
Ladies and gentlemen, members of the media, my colleagues in government, good
morning.
The 6.3-percent growth in the last quarter of 2015 affirms that the economy is indeed
steadily traversing the higher growth path, building on the solid efforts by both public
and private sectors. For 2015, among the major developing countries, the Philippines
will likely be among the fastest in Asia, next to India, the Peoples Republic of China,
and Vietnam.
The acceleration of growth from the first quarter to fourth quarter has been very
encouraging, bringing the average full-year growth to 5.8 percent. Though this is lower
than what we targeted for the year, this growth is respectable given the difficult external
environment, the onset of El Nino, and the challenges in government spending in the
first semester.
This also gives the country a six-year average real GDP growth of 6.2 percent, the
highest since the late 70s. Let me highlight the fact that, one, this consistent growth
under the current administration has not been seen in the past four decades and, two,
the growth has not been due to unsustainable borrowing as in the 1970s nor by shortlived portfolio capital. Rather, we see investments in areas that create jobs, increase
incomes, and improve peoples wellbeing.
Compared to the previous years, I am pleased to note that the 2015 growth was driven
by a much stronger domestic demand. Government spending accelerated to 9.4 percent
compared to last years 1.7 percent. Growth in public and private investments also more
than doubled to 13.6 percent from last years 5.4 percent. This was primarily led by
public construction, which grew by 20.6 percent from 6.3 percent in 2014. As these

investments get translated into increased employment and incomes, and with recordlow inflation, household consumption also grew by 6.2 percent.
This growth in investment and consumption reflects optimism in the economy given the
success of governance and economic reforms, which gave us ample space to
overcome challenges such as weather-related disasters, global economic slowdown, as
well as domestic uncertainties, especially those associated with the forthcoming
elections.
While exports growth has been lackluster at 5.5 percent compared to last years 11.3
percent, exports in services have been very strong given the BPO sectors robust
performance. There is still a lot of room for expansion in the BPO sector towards higher
value-added servicesand this will require a more diversified set of skills and services
and can stimulate economic activities in more sectors.
On the supply side, growth remained driven by the services sector, where growth
accelerated to 6.7 percent in 2015 from 5.9 percent in 2014. This is followed by industry
which grew by 6.0 percent. Agriculture, on the other hand, remains a challenge with its
0.2 percent growth.
With sound fundamentals and ongoing structural changes in the economy that make it
more resilient to shocks, we can expect higher growth for 2016 as the global economy
also picks up.
Nonetheless, there are remaining challenges that the next administration will continue to
confront. Given serious threats from climate change and the realities of a global
economy, we cannot afford to be complacent.
The biggest lesson we have learned over the past six years is that we need to build
resiliency in each sector of the economy and the socioeconomic resiliency of each
individual and community. Each sector has to be diversified in terms of products and
markets:

The agriculture sector, in particular, is vulnerable to weather shocks which, of


late, has been more frequent and rather extreme (from El Nino to Yolanda,
floods, etc.).
The industry sector, on the other hand, is much affected by external demand,
which has been weak in all of the past six years. For both sectors, innovation
and diversification are the critical strategies.
The services sector, on the other hand, has demonstrated that it can reach
greater heights as more opportunities open for trade in services. We need to
ensure that the policy environment is one that allows easier entry for firms and
encourages innovation.

Needless to say, the capacity of the economy has to expand to support higher growth.
This would be by way of infrastructure development, efficient transport and logistics
system, and competent, yet malleable, human capital.
Equally important is the need to build the socioeconomic resiliency of individuals and
communities. And there can be multiple strategies like risk mitigation measures,
disaster-preparedness, social protection, social insurance and programs that encourage
volunteerism, inter-LGU interaction and community building. At the same time, we need
to be active participants in international trade and cooperation as these present an
important source of support during critical times.
Ultimately, we would want to provide more opportunities for higher-value jobs for
Filipinos. If we want to reach the highest potential of our economy, we should be keen in
fortifying our economic achievements, and strengthening and institutionalizing the
reforms this administration laid out for the years ahead.
Furthermore, if we let the numbers for the past six years speak for themselves, the
agricultural sector persists to be the biggest road block in our goal where attaining a
higher and more inclusive growth both in the light of improving crop production and
farmers income. There is an urgent need to rethink the development strategy for this
sector, especially with the impact of El Nino and natural disasters that hound the country
yearly.
Looking ahead, we are hopeful that the next leaders of this country will sustain the
programs and reforms that have gathered significant gains over the years. We have
seen that investor confidence reached a high level as soon as the current
administrations platform of good governance moved forward and gained credibility.
Now, in the coming elections, the challenge is for the Filipino voters to choose the right
leaders who have the integrity and the ability to build strong institutionscredible
institutions that can take the economy to an even higher level and significantly uplift the
quality of life of the Filipino people.
Lastly, before I embark on another journey as a public servant, I would like to thank the
members of the media present here today who have tirelessly covered press
conferences of the National Income Accounts over the years that I have been in charge
of explaining the economys performance. We could not have widely put forward our
analysis, policy recommendations, and urgent call for reforms to the general public
without your help. For the last time in this capacity, Salamat at Mabuhay Tayong Lahat.
The potential uses of DIWATA, the first all-Filipino assembled microsatellite, include: improved
weather detection and forecasts, disaster risk management, detecting agricultural growth
patterns, and the monitoring of forest cover, mining, protection of cultural and historical sites,
and the territorial borders of the Philippines.

DIWATA was turned over to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to prepare
for its launch into space in April. With DIWATA, comes the Filipino dream to have its
own Philippine Space Agency.
Officials of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), UP Diliman, Tohoku
University (TU), and Hokkaido University (HU) handed-over the project following the
completion of the assembly and testing of the 50-kg Philippine Earth Observation
Microsatellite. It is set to be released into space from the International Space Station
(ISS) later this April.
The Philippine microsatellite program
Recognizing the advantages of using satellite-based remote sensing, the government
invested in the construction and launching of the Philippine scientific earth observation
microsatellite, under the PHL-MICROSAT or DIWATA program, with the budget of P800
million for three years.
DIWATA is the countrys first microsatellite designed, developed, and assembled by
Filipino researchers and engineers under the guidance of Japanese experts from
Hokkaido University and Tohoku University. The satellite is designed to provide real-time
images for disaster risk management and other applications.
Seven engineering students from the University of the Philippines and two science
researchers from DOSTs Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOST-ASTI)
were sent to Tohoku University and Hokkaido University in Japan to work on the
microsatellite bus system and payload design while pursuing advanced degrees, as part
of the PHL-MICROSAT program.
The bus development team worked on the design, the implementation, and the testing
of various structural, mechanical, and electrical aspects of the microsatellite bus.
The payload and mission design team on the other hand contributed to the science
mission analysis and objectives that lead to the specifications of the payload sensors
and instruments. The team studied the technical specifications of the payload
instruments towards proper testing and calibration of its outputs.
Part of the three-year program is the development of a second microsatellite (DIWATA
2) to be launched in 2017.
The PHL-MICROSAT team also intends to develop course and training materials on
small satellite technology design and testing, which are proposed to be incorporated
into science and engineering undergraduate and postgraduate elective courses, as well
as local industry short seminars. A microsatellite simulator and testbed, antenna design
and testing facility and amateur radio satellite station are also currently being set up as
part of the establishment of the local microsatellite research and instructional facility
within UP Diliman.

The rest of the PHL-MICROSAT team at UP Diliman are focused on developing a


ground receiving station (GRS) that will allow space borne images to be transmitted to
earth. It will also be used to transmit commands from the ground to the microsatellite to
carry out is mission effectively
DIWATA-1 is a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite set to fly 400km above the earth. It serves
as a training platform and will pave the way for the Filipino team to further develop their
skills in space technology.
More than this, the potential uses of Diwatas images include improved weather
detection and forecasts, disaster risk management, detecting agricultural growth
patterns, and the monitoring of forest cover, mining, protection of cultural and historical
sites, and the territorial borders of the Philippines. Diwata will be sending vital images
and data back to Philippine Earth Data Resources and Observation (PEDRO) Center
which was set up to receive data from the satellite

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