Dr. Joel Joseph S. Marciano Jr., the first director general of the Philippine Space Agency, has stepped down after more than five years of leading the country’s national space program.
In a Facebook post on Monday, PhilSA expressed gratitude to Marciano for his “visionary leadership” and role in building the agency from its beginnings into a community of space scientists, engineers, researchers, and partners.
“We, at PhilSA, honor his invaluable contributions in shaping the agency’s formative years and in inspiring future generations of Filipinos to look to the stars,” the agency said.
Marciano confirmed his irrevocable resignation in a personal statement, noting that he has received acknowledgment from the Office of the President and will return to the University of the Philippines as a professor.
“It has been a profound privilege to contribute to the formative years of the agency and to be entrusted with stewarding its early development,” he wrote.
“From being PhilSA’s first employee to standing alongside a growing community … the journey has been nothing short of remarkable.”
He recalled how the agency began in March 2020 with only a Zoom account, an email address, a handful of volunteers, and what he described as a “bayanihan spirit.” Today, PhilSA has grown into an organization of 250 people with an average age of 27.
Under his leadership, the agency established its structure and processes, transitioned key programs from the Department of Science and Technology, secured scholarships for Filipino space researchers, achieved ISO 9001:2015 certification, and forged international collaborations.
PhilSA also published its Decadal Survey and a book on the United Nations Outer Space Treaties for younger audiences, and is set to release the Philippine Space Industrial Plan.
“Our efforts to develop the space value chain and mobilize space missions, satellites, and space-enabled services across different domains continue to shore up trust and confidence of our partners in our abilities,” Marciano said.
He also encouraged PhilSA employees to continue learning and collaborating with “empathy, competence, and integrity,” quoting Harry Potter character Albus Dumbledore to highlight his philosophy on leadership.
Marciano added that he will remain engaged in the space ecosystem, particularly in strengthening scientific and industrial capabilities he helped establish through programs like Diwata with UP and the Department of Science and Technology.
“To colleagues, friends, partners and my fellow Filipinos—thank you for helping PhilSA grow through your collaboration and fellowship, and for your valued support and trust,” he wrote.
Marciano served as PhilSA’s inaugural director general since 2020, overseeing the buildout of the agency during the pandemic and laying the groundwork for the Philippines’ long-term space policy and programs.—Sherylin Untalan/AOL, GMA Integrated News
