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President Marcos has signed into law Republic Act No. 12255, establishing the National Aviation Academy of the Philippines (NAAP) as the country’s premier institution for higher education and training in aviation and aerospace.
Under the law, signed on Sept. 5, the NAAP will be recognized as the national professional institution for aviation, mandated to develop globally competitive professionals and supply technical manpower to key sectors, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).
The Academy will offer academic programs like Bachelor of Science degrees in Aviation Safety and Security, Supply Chain Management, Aviation Technology, and other specialized courses aligned with international standards.
It will also provide training for emerging fields, including drone technology, aircraft maintenance, air traffic management, and aerospace engineering, among others.
Based on the new measure, the NAAP will be governed by a Board of Trustees composed of the Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Secretaries of the Departments of Education and of Socioeconomic Planning, the Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force, the Director General of the CAAP, as well as representatives from professional aviation groups and industry experts.
The Board will exercise powers to approve academic programs, set policies on admission and tuition, authorize faculty appointments, prescribe salary structures, and establish research and training collaborations with local and international institutions.
Funding and facilities
The law authorizes the Academy to receive government appropriations, grants, donations, endowments, and revenues from land use and other income-generating activities.
It may also enter into joint ventures or public-private partnerships to upgrade its infrastructure and expand facilities, including airports, hangars, dormitories, research centers, and laboratories.
All income derived from its operations shall be retained and used for its development, subject to auditing rules.
Autonomy and powers
Meanwhile, the Academy shall enjoy institutional autonomy similar to other state universities and colleges, with authority to set its own academic and administrative policies, and confer degrees and professional certifications.
It is also empowered to issue subpoenas in aid of administrative inquiries, recommend state witness protection for informants, and seek technical cooperation from domestic and foreign partners.
The new law states that a search committee will be constituted to appoint the first NAAP president. It also provides a transition period to organize its governance, staffing, and facilities.
The NAAP will prioritize the development of regional campuses, including those located in Pampanga, Cebu, and Davao, to expand access to aviation education nationwide.