CA defers PhilSA chief confirmation

The Commission on Appointments (CA) on Tuesday deferred the confirmation of ad interim appointment of Joel Joseph Marciano Jr. as the head of the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA).

During the deliberation on his ad interim appointment, the powerful constitutional body members grilled Marciano over his lack of credentials and plans for the country’s space agency.

CA Majority Floor Leader Luis Raymund “LRay” Villafuerte Jr particularly pointed out Marciano’s lack of accomplishment on agricultural development and disaster management through space technology.

Marciano, who has been the head of the PhilSA since 2020, clarified that the space agency has been collaborating with various agencies such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) by sending them satellite images.

Villafuerte reminded Marciano that his position is a Cabinet rank, hence, he should not blame the DENR and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, and instead directly share data with local government units (LGU) to enhance disaster preparedness.

“In the province of Camarines Sur, we suffered from the worst flooding in history. About 900 millimeters of rain fell on Camarines Sur in just four days,” he said, referring to tropical storm “Kristine” which pummeled the province in October 2024.

“Ondoy was only over 300 millimeters of rain, we suffered from 900 millimeters. A satellite image or projection would have helped, and we did not get it,” he added.

For his part, Marciano vowed to “do a better job” with coordinating with LGUs to improve their weather monitoring and disaster response.

‘Not fit for the job’

Villafuerte continued to prod Marciano about his educational background as well as his qualifications to head the PhilSA, which was created in 2019.

Prior to his appointment, Marciano was a professor at the University of the Philippines-Diliman, where he also obtained his degree in Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.

According to him, he was the program leader of the Department of Science and Technology’s Philippine Scientific Earth Observation Microsatellite, which sought the development and utilization of the country’s first scientific earth observation microsatellites, Diwata-1 and Diwata-2.

Not satisfied, Villafuerte suggested that Marciano should “learn his job faster,” stressing that the PhilSA should live up to its mandate.