Lawmaker calls PH Space Agency chief 'unfit' for job, defers appointment | ABS-CBN
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Lawmaker calls PH Space Agency chief 'unfit' for job, defers appointment
Lawmaker calls PH Space Agency chief 'unfit' for job, defers appointment
MANILA — The Commission on Appointments (CA) has deferred the consideration of the ad interim appointment of Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) Director General Joel Joseph Marciano, Jr. due to his supposed inability to answer questions during Tuesday’s meeting.
MANILA — The Commission on Appointments (CA) has deferred the consideration of the ad interim appointment of Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) Director General Joel Joseph Marciano, Jr. due to his supposed inability to answer questions during Tuesday’s meeting.
CA Majority Floor Leader and Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund “Lray” Villafuerte, Jr. moved for the deferment.
CA Majority Floor Leader and Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund “Lray” Villafuerte, Jr. moved for the deferment.
“I move to defer this consideration of this nominee. They cannot even answer simple questions,” Villafuerte said.
“I move to defer this consideration of this nominee. They cannot even answer simple questions,” Villafuerte said.
Villafuerte was asking about the provinces which are prone to La Niña. Marciano answered, but was not able to identify all.
Villafuerte was asking about the provinces which are prone to La Niña. Marciano answered, but was not able to identify all.
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“I have nothing against you or the agency. I'm just frustrated that there are provinces already projected to have La Niña flooding which can be cause of deaths, which can be cause of agricultural effect, and yet you are not sharing that data. You have that data, you said,” Villafuerte said.
“I have nothing against you or the agency. I'm just frustrated that there are provinces already projected to have La Niña flooding which can be cause of deaths, which can be cause of agricultural effect, and yet you are not sharing that data. You have that data, you said,” Villafuerte said.
The lawmaker also reprimanded Marciano for allegedly not providing local government units (LGUs) with satellite images that could help them in weather forecasting.
The lawmaker also reprimanded Marciano for allegedly not providing local government units (LGUs) with satellite images that could help them in weather forecasting.
Camarines Sur, according to Villafuerte, has hired an Israeli company for this.
Camarines Sur, according to Villafuerte, has hired an Israeli company for this.
“From the province of Camarines Sur we suffered worst flooding in history, 900 millimeters of rain fell on Camarines Sur in just four days. Ondoy was only over 300. A satellite image or projection would have helped and we did not get it,” Villafuerte said.
“From the province of Camarines Sur we suffered worst flooding in history, 900 millimeters of rain fell on Camarines Sur in just four days. Ondoy was only over 300. A satellite image or projection would have helped and we did not get it,” Villafuerte said.
According to Marciano, “We will do a better job of coordinating directly with LGUs. So far, efforts have been coursed through the Office of Civil Defense.”
According to Marciano, “We will do a better job of coordinating directly with LGUs. So far, efforts have been coursed through the Office of Civil Defense.”
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But Villafuerte said, “You are created by law. You are independent agency. You should stop saying that you coordinate with the NDRRMC, the Office of Civil Defense and the DENR because you are a cabinet rank head.”
But Villafuerte said, “You are created by law. You are independent agency. You should stop saying that you coordinate with the NDRRMC, the Office of Civil Defense and the DENR because you are a cabinet rank head.”
“Sayang po yung creation niyo po. And to be honest po, if you did not appear in the CA, we will never hear from you. I don’t even hear any statements in the press about the Philippine Space Agency. To be honest, the country does not even know that there’s a Space Agency,” the lawmaker added.
“Sayang po yung creation niyo po. And to be honest po, if you did not appear in the CA, we will never hear from you. I don’t even hear any statements in the press about the Philippine Space Agency. To be honest, the country does not even know that there’s a Space Agency,” the lawmaker added.
“We will do better job on reaching the various constituencies, your honor,” Marciano replied.
“We will do better job on reaching the various constituencies, your honor,” Marciano replied.
The Space Agency hopes for a budget of P4 billion for 2026 or double its current funding to continue satellite development efforts, mobilizing space data, and working with other departments to address their mandates.
The Space Agency hopes for a budget of P4 billion for 2026 or double its current funding to continue satellite development efforts, mobilizing space data, and working with other departments to address their mandates.
Villafuerte criticized Marciano, however, saying the budget is needed because the Philippines is a climate risk area.
Villafuerte criticized Marciano, however, saying the budget is needed because the Philippines is a climate risk area.
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“Sorry to say I don’t see your fit to handle the job,” Villafuerte said. “We should reset this.”
“Sorry to say I don’t see your fit to handle the job,” Villafuerte said. “We should reset this.”
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