The Philippine Ports Authority’s (PPA) K9 Academy located in Pampanga, the first in Southeast Asia, is now 75 percent complete and will soon accommodate dogs for training in detection and apprehension of narcotics, explosives, and agricultural smuggling.

PPA General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago said that while its target completion of construction works in Barangay Dolores in Mabalacat town was delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic, everything remains on track as of his last visit on Thursday, Oct. 12 .

The construction of the K9 Academy started in August last year with an initial budget allocation of P100 million. It is a joint project of the PPA and the Philippine Cast Guard (PCG). 

Full utilization of the K9 Academy is set on the 1st quarter of 2024.

 “This is the first in Southeast Asia and once completed, the K9 Academy can cater at least 128 K9 dogs and 100 handlers,” said Santiago.

“This will benefit not only our agency so we are really looking forward to our contributions in the security aspect in terms of detection and apprehension of narcotics, explosives, and agricultural smuggling, especially because our ports are our main gateways,” he added.

The K9 Academy is capable of providing all quality training and techniques, and best practices for the skills of dogs, breeding, maintenance, and veterinary care. 

The academy is inclusive of five organizations including the Canine Development Center, Canine School, Canine Breeding Center, Canine Hospital, and Kennel Management and Biosecurity.

Other than the PPA Port Police and the PCG, the K9 Academy can also cater to other government agencies’ future K9 requirements.

The academy can produce K9 units that will be trained on Search and Rescue (SAR), bomb threat detection, and fugitive apprehension. 

“With this, the PPA is set to save up to P40 million of its annual budget from hiring private working dogs and K9 handlers to maintain port security,” said Santiago.