Senator Camille Villar pushed for transparency and efficiency in the use of the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) and Department of Science and Technology (DOST) budgets as the Senate opened deliberations on their 2026 proposals.
Villar, vice chair of the Senate finance subcommittee, stressed that science, technology, and innovation must not only advance space exploration but also deliver tangible benefits for farmers, fisherfolk, women entrepreneurs, and the youth.
The senator flagged PhilSA’s low capital outlay utilization—4.61% as of June 2025 and 15.91% by August—despite its projection to hit 96% by year-end. She also pressed officials, led by Dr. Gay Jane Perez, for an explanation, citing possible procurement bottlenecks.
PhilSA attributed the delay to procurement schedules for ground station upgrades and equipment purchases but assured that operations and targets remain on track.
Villar vowed strict Senate oversight to ensure that 2026 science funds, including those for 19 DOST-attached agencies, are used responsibly and aligned with national priorities such as climate resilience, disaster risk reduction, health research, and support for MSMEs.
She reiterated her call to make science and technology more accessible to communities, uplifting lives while inspiring future generations to pursue careers in these fields.IMT
