The Commission on Appointments 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 pummelled 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.

“Your office is very important. It was created only five years ago. You should be more relevant. You should be more proactive. You should let the Filipino people know there is such an agency existing,” the lawmaker said.

Created under Republic Act No. 11363 or the Philippine Space Act, the PhilSA is an attached agency of the Office of the President for purposes of policy and program coordination, and to ensure alignment in national policies and priorities.

Before adjourning the session, Villafuerte confronted Marciano on the spot by asking him to name the provinces comprising Eastern Visayas, which the latter failed to complete.

The lawmaker earlier was asking the PhilSA head to name the provinces projected to be hit by the La Niña phenomenon in the coming months.