Dr. Gay Jane P. Perez has taken her oath of office as ad interim director general of the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA), with the oath administered by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto.
The director general of PhilSA holds the rank of Cabinet secretary and also serves as the presidential adviser on space matters.
Perez has been with PhilSA since 2021 and served as officer-in-charge starting September 2025. Before joining PhilSA, she led the science team behind the development of the Philippines’ first microsatellites, Diwata-1and Diwata-2. These projects helped establish the foundation for later space technology programs, including the development of the Multispectral Unit for Land Assessment (MULA) satellite.
Perez has also led research in satellite remote sensing, including studies on drought monitoring and forecasting, forest change detection, and climate variability.
She earned her doctorate in physics from University of the Philippines Diliman and completed postdoctoral research at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, focusing on remote sensing and satellite data applications.
Perez said she will continue advancing the country’s “Yamang Kalawakan,” highlighting the growing role of space science and technology in government planning and decision-making.
Space-based data and technologies help the government address climate change and disaster risks, improve food security, protect the environment, and monitor the country’s maritime domain.
PhilSA also plans to strengthen cooperation with local and international partners as it develops the country’s space capabilities.
The agency said partnerships remain important in building a stronger and more competitive space ecosystem.