Newsletter: Satellite data shows NO2 concentration in Metro Manila down to pre-fire levels for two consecutive days

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The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) has done daily monitoring of satellite data since the Navotas landfill fire reportedly broke out on 10 April 2026. Coinciding with reports on Tuesday (28 April) that significant progress has been made in suppressing the fire, satellite data shows that nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentration in Metro Manila has fallen below 6 April (pre-fire) levels for two consecutive days. Nitrogen dioxide is a pollutant produced from burning and is a component of smoke, and lower NO2 concentrations indicate a reduction in the volume of smoke emitted from the landfill fire. 

Newsletter: A decade after Diwata-1: From crisis to capability

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On 27 April 2016, microsatellite Diwata-1 became the first Filipino-built satellite in orbit. It was deployed from the JEM Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (J-SSOD) of the International Space Station (Photo credit: JAXA/NASA)

In the aftermath of Yolanda in 2013, the Philippines faced one of its most devastating disasters. Entire communities were flattened, and the country urgently needed satellite imagery to assess damage and guide response efforts. At the time, however, access to space data was constrained, highlighting a critical gap in the country’s disaster management capabilities.

Newsletter: Daily monitoring of satellite data shows air quality in Metro Manila has not returned to normal levels

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) has done daily monitoring of satellite data since the Navotas landfill fire reportedly broke out on 10 April 2026. As of Thursday (23 April), the Bureau of Fire Protection has reported “smoldering conditions” onsite and satellite data show that air quality in Metro Manila has not returned to normal levels. Daily monitoring of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentration over Metro Manila (taken every 8:45AM), shows that levels are still higher than on 6 April, prior to the fire. Nitrogen dioxide is a pollutant produced from burning and is a component of smoke.

Newsletter: PhilSA, Hungarian University MATE forge partnership for agricultural research, education, and tech development

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PhilSA Ad Interim Director General Gay Jane P. Perez, Ph.D. (seated left) and MATE Rector Csaba Gyuricza (seated right) sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), witnessed by PhilSA Deputy Director General for Space Science and Technology Marc Caesar R. Talampas (left-most) and Her Excellency Titanilla Tóth, Ambassador of Hungary to the Philippines (right-most)

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) and the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE) formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 20 April 2026 to advance agricultural research, education, and technology development. The agreement was signed by PhilSA Ad Interim Director General Dr. Gay Jane P. Perez and MATE Rector Dr. Csaba Gyuricza.

Newsletter: Satellite image on Thursday, 16 April, shows 28.6 hectares burned in Navotas landfill fire

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This image shows the estimated burned area affected in the Navotas landfill fire, which reportedly broke out on 10 April 2026. As of Thursday (16 April, 10:33AM), six days after the fire reportedly broke out, there was an estimated 28.58 hectares (~285,800 sqm) of burned area (delineated in red). For comparison, this area is slightly larger than the Quezon Memorial Circle. 

Newsletter: Satellite data show smoke from Navotas fire reached as far as Bataan

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This map shows how far smoke spread in the aftermath of the Navotas landfill fire, which broke out at approximately 8PM on April 10, 2026. The time-lapse map shows hourly snapshots from 7:45AM (featured) to 3:45PM on the following day, April 11. Darker colors indicate higher levels of nitrogen dioxide, a proxy for smoke extent, which can be measured during daytime using satellite data.

Newsletter: PhilSA, NIA partner to use space data for irrigation and water management

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Photo Credit: National Irrigation Administration (NIA)

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to apply space technology in improving irrigation systems and water resource management across the Philippines.

Newsletter: Framework for rocket development and test launches in PH to be established through new PhilSA agreement

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[L-R] Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Ferdinand Ferrer, DTI Sec. Ma. Cristina A. Roque, Ascend President Ramon C. Garcia Jr., DICT Secretary Henry R. Aguda, CEZA Administrator and CEO Sec. Katrina Ponce Enrile, PhilSA Ad Interim Director General Gay Jane P. Perez, Perigee Aerospace CEO Dong Yoon Shin, MOTIR Minister Kim Jung-kwan, and Federation of Korean Industries Chairman Jin Ryo Ryu during the MOU signing ceremony. (Photo credit: LinkedIn/Ramon Garcia Jr)

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA), together with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA), Ascend International Gateway, Inc., and Republic of Korea’s (ROK) Perigee Aerospace, Inc. signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on a framework for rocket development training and experimental rocket launches in the Philippines. These initiatives will demonstrate the viability of the establishment and operation of a Philippine spaceport, with the goal of positioning the country as a gateway to space in the region.