Manila Observatory
Manila Observatory is a 160-year-old Jesuit non-profit scientific research institution in the Philippines that applies remote sensing and GIS to climate, air quality, disaster risk, and geomatics research for government, academic, civil society, and multilateral clients across ASEAN.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1865
- Headquarters—
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Manila Observatory does
Manila Observatory is a private non-stock, non-profit scientific research institution founded in 1865 by the Jesuit mission in the Philippines and headquartered in Quezon City. It conducts systematic observation and research across weather, regional climate, air quality, upper atmosphere dynamics, solid earth dynamics, geomatics, and disaster risk, and operates through specialized laboratories including Air Quality Dynamics, Regional Climate Systems, Upper Atmosphere Dynamics, Solid Earth Dynamics, Data and Sensor Development, Geomatics for Environment and Development (GED), KLIMA, and the Resilience Collaboratory. Its core technology stack is remote sensing and geographic information systems (RS-GIS) applied to environmental monitoring, disaster risk mapping, and climate studies, operationalized through the Manila Observatory Geoportal (public spatial data portal) and the Panahon weather platform (climate projections, tropical cyclone reports, and model forecasts).
The organization serves Philippine government agencies (DENR, NDRRMC, NAMRIA), academic partners (Ateneo de Naga, Xavier University, Ateneo de Davao, UP-MSI), civil society organizations (Aksyon Klima Pilipinas, women-led environmental groups), and international development bodies (UNDP, ADB, World Bank/GEF, UNESCO, USAID, IDRC). It does not sell commercial products or services; all outputs — research publications, spatial maps, policy briefs, capacity-building modules, and decision-support platforms — are delivered free for research purposes and funded through grants, project consortia (e.g., ALAM Project under the ASEAN-UK Green Transition Fund), and donor support under the Jesuit institutional umbrella. With 51 employees and a 160-year operational history, the Observatory functions as a quasi-public scientific infrastructure provider rather than a commercial enterprise.
Manila Observatory firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Manila Observatory
- Legal name
- Manila Observatory
- Website
- https://observatory.ph
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1865
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Manila Observatory is a 160-year-old Jesuit non-profit scientific research institution in the Philippines that applies remote sensing and GIS to climate, air quality, disaster risk, and geomatics research for government, academic, civil society, and multilateral clients across ASEAN.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Manila Observatory industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Environmental and Climate Research Services
- NAICS
- Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (54136), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241)
- SIC
- Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Satellite Imagery & Remote Sensing Geospatial Platforms (BPAMANAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Ambient Air Quality Monitoring (Criteria Pollutants & Air Toxics) (EUAHACAA), Environmental Monitoring, Data & Reporting (Air/Water/Soil) (BPAIAMAC), Environmental Data, Monitoring, Remote Sensing & Early Warning (BPADALAN)
Keywords
Manila Observatory business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Manila Observatory product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Manila Observatory is a private non-stock, non-profit scientific research institution that conducts systematic observation and research on Philippine weather, climate change, air quality, upper atmosphere dynamics, solid earth dynamics, and disaster risk. It delivers spatial databases, decision-support platforms (Geoportal, Panahon), and policy advisory services for climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction in the Philippines and broader ASEAN region.
Product overview
Manila Observatory is a private non-stock, non-profit scientific research institution established in 1865, offering a portfolio of interconnected research programs, digital platforms, and data services. Its core products include the Manila Observatory Geoportal (public spatial data access), Panahon weather forecasting platform, and KLIMA climate change assistance program. Supporting these are specialized research laboratories covering Air Quality Dynamics, Upper Atmosphere Dynamics, Regional Climate Systems, Solid Earth Dynamics, Geomatics for Environment and Development (GED), and Data/Sensor Development. Additional offerings include the Resilience Collaboratory, Interdisciplinary Research initiatives, and digital tools such as LindolMO (earthquake monitoring) and MO Archives. The organization functions as a research institution providing scientific data, mapping services, and climate advocacy rather than a commercial product company.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Klima Center: Climate change center of the Manila Observatory, focused on climate policy advocacy, capacity building, and environmental justice programs including the WEHRD (Women Environmental Human Rights Defenders) project.
- Geomatics for Environment and Development (GED)
- Manila Observatory Geoportal
- Panahon (Weather Watch Initiative)
Products and services
- Manila Observatory Geoportal
- Panahon (Weather Watch Initiative)
- KLIMA (Climate Change Assistance)
- Air Quality Dynamics Laboratory
- Upper Atmosphere Dynamics Laboratory
- Regional Climate Systems Laboratory
- Geomatics for Environment and Development (GED)
- Solid Earth Dynamics Laboratory
- Resilience Collaboratory
- Data and Sensor Development (Instrumentation Technology Development)
Quantifiable outcome
- Produced air quality monitoring reports tracking PM2.5 concentrations for over 20 years, with data showing 24-hour PM2.5 concentrations reaching 104 µg/m3 during 2026 New Year celebrations (seven times WHO guideline)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Manila Observatory
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Manila Observatory technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Manila Observatory partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- Aksyon Klima Pilipinas (AKP)coreCo-hosted second Civil Society Convening on Loss and Damage to strengthen advocacy work for Loss and Damage as critical climate issue in the Philippines.
- United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) PhilippinescorePartnership for 'Strengthening Women's Civil Society and Women Environmental Human Rights Defenders' Political Participation and Influence for a Just, Green Future Philippines' project. Klima Center conducted co-design sessions with CSO partners for module development, supported by UNDP Philippines.
- Parabukas Pte. Ltd.flagshipPart of ALAM (Advancing Learning and Capacities in the ASEAN on Mitigation) Project consortium implementing nature-based solutions and climate financing initiatives across ASEAN.
- Samdhana InstituteflagshipSoutheast Asia-based consortium partner for ALAM Project on nature-based solutions and climate financing.
- Core Group Transparency – Timor LesteflagshipSoutheast Asia-based consortium partner for ALAM Project on nature-based solutions and climate financing.
- Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)coreNational government agency partner for climate information management systems, environmental monitoring, and disaster risk mapping projects.
- National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC)coreGovernment partner for disaster mapping, emergency observation, and disaster risk reduction initiatives.
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)corePartner for research on Philippine Cordilleras rice terraces vulnerability and Palawan UNESCO Biosphere Reserve studies.
- Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE)minorPhilippine environmental foundation partner for climate and conservation initiatives.
- Oscar M. Lopez Center for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management Foundation (OML)corePhilippine scientific foundation partner for climate risk assessment and adaptation research.
- Ateneo de Naga University (ADNU)coreAcademic partner in Disaster Risk GIS Academic Hub/Node and R3 RULES project for climate adaptation.
- Xavier University (XU)coreAcademic partner in Disaster Risk GIS Academic Hub/Node and R3 RULES project for climate adaptation.
- University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI)coreAcademic partner for marine and coastal environment research and climate studies.
- Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)minorRegional dialogue participant sharing experience in accessing multilateral climate funds (GCF, GEF) for NbS implementation.
- Landbank of the PhilippinesminorPresented insights on developing bankable NbS projects at ASEAN regional dialogue on nature-based solutions.
- Global Green Growth Institute IndonesiaminorPartner in wetland ecosystems panel discussion on NbS implementation for climate-smart livelihoods in mangrove landscapes.
- Greenpeace PhilippinesminorResource person at Loss and Damage convening providing climate advocacy perspective.
- Environmental Science for Social ChangeminorResource person at Loss and Damage convening contributing environmental science expertise.
- Konservasi IndonesiaminorPresented NbS implementation experience at ASEAN regional dialogue on nature-based solutions.
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Manila Observatory competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (NOAA PMEL): PMEL is a major US government atmospheric and oceanographic research lab operating across the Pacific. Comparable for its long-running atmospheric monitoring programs and contribution to international climate and hazard research networks.
- Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK): PIK is a leading global climate research institute producing climate modeling, impact assessments, and policy advice. Comparable as an established climate research institution with interdisciplinary labs and high international funding.
Direct peers
- International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI): IRI is a climate research institute at Columbia University producing forecasts, monitoring, and capacity-building tools for developing countries. Comparable for its focus on climate services, decision-support platforms, and donor-funded applied research.
- Climate Central: Climate Central is a US-based non-profit that researches and communicates climate and sea-level science. Comparable as a mission-driven climate research organization that publishes datasets, mapping, and policy-relevant analyses.
- Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) Asia: SEI Asia is a non-profit policy research institute working on environment, climate, and sustainability across the Asia-Pacific region. It is highly comparable given its mix of policy research, environmental monitoring, and partnerships with multilateral donors like UNDP and ADB.
- Earth Observatory of Singapore: EOS is a university-based research institute focused on earth sciences, climate hazards, and geohazards in Southeast Asia. Comparable for its combination of atmospheric/earth science research, regional disaster mapping, and policy-relevant output.
- Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR-ICRAF): CIFOR-ICRAF conducts applied environmental and climate research across Southeast Asia with strong NGO/consortium structure and multilateral donor ties. Comparable in being a mission-driven research entity delivering data, mapping, and policy guidance in the region.
Regional players
- Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics (BMKG): BMKG is Indonesia's national agency for meteorology, climatology, and air quality monitoring. Comparable as a Southeast Asian counterpart delivering weather, climate, and geophysical observation services with strong government linkages.
Emerging players
- International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA): IIASA is an international research institute applying systems analysis to climate, energy, and sustainability. Comparable for its policy-driven, interdisciplinary research model and heavy reliance on multilateral/government grants.
Others
- Manila Observatory-affiliated academic partners (e.g., UP-MSI): The University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute is a partner institution conducting complementary climate, coastal, and marine research. Comparable as a domestic Philippines-based research entity with overlapping climate-adaptation and RS-GIS activity.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Manila Observatory social profiles
Digital presenceManila Observatory financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Manila Observatory leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Manila Observatory funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Manila Observatory M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Manila Observatory
What does Manila Observatory do?
Manila Observatory is a private non-stock, non-profit scientific research institution that conducts systematic observation and research on Philippine weather, climate change, air quality, upper atmosphere dynamics, solid earth dynamics, and disaster risk. It delivers spatial databases, decision-support platforms (Geoportal, Panahon), and policy advisory services for climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction in the Philippines and broader ASEAN region.
Is Manila Observatory a public or private company?
Manila Observatory is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Manila Observatory founded?
Manila Observatory was founded in 1865. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Who are Manila Observatory's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (NOAA PMEL) and Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK). Direct peers are International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI), Climate Central, Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) Asia, Earth Observatory of Singapore and Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR-ICRAF). Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics (BMKG) is listed as a regional player. International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) is listed as an emerging player. Manila Observatory-affiliated academic partners (e.g., UP-MSI) is listed as an others.
Does Manila Observatory have an API?
No public API is recorded for Manila Observatory.
What industry is Manila Observatory in?
Manila Observatory's product category is Environmental and Climate Research Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAMANAM, Satellite Imagery & Remote Sensing Geospatial Platforms, with a secondary code of EUAHACAA, Ambient Air Quality Monitoring (Criteria Pollutants & Air Toxics). Its NAICS code is 54136 and its SIC code is 3826.