Satellite tech vital in maritime security, disaster mitigation

MANILA, Philippines — Officials of the Philippine Navy, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) agreed that space-based technology, such as satellites, have been vital in strengthening maritime security and disaster mitigation in the country.

The officials made the statement during the first space cooperation conference, organized by the Stratbase Institute, in partnership with the embassy of Canada in the Philippines and the Philippine Space Agency, held in Makati City last Tuesday.

In a statement of his recognition on the importance of space-based technology, Stratbase Institute president Dindo Manhit urged the government to collaborate more with like-minded nations like Canada to strengthen the Philippines’ capabilities in this field.

“This is an industry that warrants attention, especially in the wake of rapid technological advancements. It is our hope that this conference would be the start of discussions on the relevance of space science and technology applications across different sectors. By encouraging more dialogue and collaboration in these areas, we can make use of space science and technology applications to address global challenges,” Manhit said.

“We at Stratbase believe in looking beyond the present and seeing not only risks, but opportunities as well. In the sector of space, the areas for new industries, collaboration with different countries and economic potential for Philippine society at large are as vast as space itself,” he added.

Manhit said that during last week’s first space cooperation conference, Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad, the Navy spokesman for the West Philippine Sea, said the Dark Vessel Detection system – Canada’s satellite program that is being used in the Philippines since November last year – has helped the Navy get vital information that is crucial in safeguarding the country’s maritime domain.

Through an agreement with the Canadian government, the Philippine Navy has been using the Dark Vessel Detection System which has allowed them to track ships that are conducting illegal activities in Philippine waters even if they turn off their location transmitting devices to avoid surveillance.

“The impact has been significant, considering that our response capability is now focused on actionable information,” Trinidad explained.

“With all the information, not only from our Canadian friends, but all other sources that we sift through and transform the information to intelligence, then we could preserve our response capabilities only when they are needed. And we expect this to improve as we get more capabilities to be able to see what’s out there,” he said.

For his part, Canadian embassy in the Philippines’ political and public affairs head Colin Townson said that the Dark Vessel System helps the government become more efficient and make better investments by focusing its resources to where the critical problems and challenges are.

“Data last month (show) it (dark vessel detection system) contributed directly to 60 percent fuel savings in the BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources) region... It has been used for search and rescue, to save human lives and, of course, to monitor and track Philippine fisheries. So, that’s kind of where our starting point is in the Dark Vessel Detection Program,” Townson explained.

“What we’ve done on Dark Vessel Detection was phase one… In the next seven weeks, we will move to phase two, and we will begin deploying and training operators through the Visayas and Mindanao to expand the number of operators who are able to work with the system, and will also be bringing on additional agencies as partners with access to the system,” he added.

Similarly, NDRRMC executive director and Office of Civil Defense administrator Ariel Nepomuceno said satellite-based solutions are vital to leapfrog the capability of the country in managing disasters.

“I was asked about a month ago if we are truly ready with regard to The Big One. I said as long as our assumption is that at least 50,000 Filipinos will immediately perish, I don’t think that should be our definition of being ready,” Nepomuceno said.

“So the role of digital solutions, specifically satellite-based solutions, will be vital to leapfrog the capability of the country, not only the Civil Defense office, but the entire… what we say, the whole-of-government approach in managing disasters,” he explained.

Furthermore, Environment Undersecretary Carlos Primo David said they have been using satellite technology in mapping the country’s natural resources.

“In our experience in DENR, the use of satellite imagery actually makes our work cost effective… We are rich in natural resources, how do we utilize this for economic development and progress in our community? The very, very first step is to map out where our resources are,” David said.