The Philippine Space Agency and several government and private sector partners have signed an agreement to establish a framework for rocket development training and experimental launches in the Philippines.
The memorandum of understanding was signed with the Department of Information and Communications Technology, Cagayan Economic Zone Authority, Ascend International Gateway Inc., and South Korea-based Perigee Aerospace.
The collaboration aims to demonstrate the feasibility of establishing and operating a Philippine spaceport, positioning the country as a potential gateway for space launches in the region.
The agreement was signed during the Philippines–Korea Business Forum on March 4 at Conrad Manila, coinciding with the state visit of Lee Jae Myung to the Philippines.
Signatories included PhilSA Ad Interim Director General Gay Jane Perez, DICT Secretary Henry Aguda, CEZA Administrator Katrina Ponce Enrile, Perigee Aerospace CEO Dong Yoon Shin, and Ascend International Gateway President Ramon Garcia Jr..
Officials said the Philippines’ geographic location—close to the equator and facing the Pacific Ocean—could support safer and more efficient rocket launch and recovery operations over open waters.
The initiative builds on earlier rocket technology training conducted in South Korea from October to November 2025, where Filipino engineers received hands-on experience in rocket assembly and testing.
According to PhilSA, the program laid the foundation for future activities that could include localized assembly, testing, and launch operations in the country.
During the forum, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the agreements signed during the visit would strengthen economic ties between the Philippines and South Korea.
“All of these will ripple into significant partnerships that will generate projects, investments, and of course, livelihood,” Marcos said.
PhilSA said the collaboration is part of broader efforts to strengthen the country’s capabilities in space research, engineering, and rocket and satellite development while exploring the long-term goal of establishing a Philippine spaceport.