The newly-created Philippine Public Safety Academy (PPSA) has welcomed the first batch of cadets who will be trained as future firemen and jail officers.
Speaking at the PPSA inauguration and the launching of the Pilot Batch Class of 2024, the DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said the new academy is will give priority in further improving the capability of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP.
“Ngayong papalapit na ang pagtatapos ng paglilingkod ko sa DILG, magaan ang loob kong magreretiro dahil nakatulong ako sa pagtaas ng antas ng kahusayan ng mga tauhan ng BFP at BJMP (As the end of my service at the DILG nears, I am happy to retire because I have helped upgrade the standards of the BFP and BJMP men),’’ said Año.
The PPSA was created with the signing of Department Circular No. 2022-009 "Creation and Operationalization of Philippine Public Safety Academy (PPSA) pursuant to Republic Act No. 11279.”
The Academy is a separate school for future officers of the BFP and BJMP who used to be trained under the auspices of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA).
Año said the newly-inaugurated PPSA, which took the DILG and Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC) three years to establish, is temporarily holding classes at the National Forensic Science Training Institute (NFSTI) in Camp Vicente Lim in Calamba, Laguna while the department is looking for a permanent campus for the academy.
In the temporary location, two dormitories are allotted to the 100 cadets (90 male cadets, 10 female cadets) with 50 slots each allotted to each bureau, comprising 45 males and five females.
Año challenged the pioneering batch that they should set the bar high and to create a culture of patriotism, honor and excellence within the Academy.
“The physical, mental and character-shaping rigors will push you to the edge of your strength, your wits, and your pride.’’ he noted.
He told the new cadets that life in the PPSA will fill them with courage, integrity, service and enjoined them to “walk the talk” and “remember that respect is earned not demanded.”
The Cadetship Program of the PPSA offers graduate degree courses for BFP and BJMP personnel, like Bachelor of Science in Fire Protection Administration and Bachelor of Science in Penology and Corrections Administration.
The two-year cadetship program is composed of 120 academic and 30 non-academic Units.
Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC) President Ricardo de Leon expressed gratitude for Año’s support for PPSC’s plans and programs. “We thank Secretary Año for being the father of the PPSA. Mabuhay kayo sir!” de Leon said.
The PPSA is under the administrative control of the Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC) where JSSupt Leonalyn Oloan has been appointed director of the PPSA.
She will serve for a term of two years, which may be extended by the DILG secretary. (Chito A. Chavez)