SM Prime funds new facility for Philippine military
Published Feb 10, 2026 02:35 pm
From L to R: COL Kim Eric Alexander D. Agatep PAF(GSC)- Chief of the Academy Staff; BGen Stephen Agtoto PRof-Dean of Academics, PMA; BGen Nelson C. Aluad PA- Commandant of Cadets; BGen Onorlie B. Brillantes PAF- Assistant Superintendent, PMA; LTGen Gonzales PAF- Commander, Northern Luzon Command; Vice Admiral Caesar Bernard N. Valencia PN- Superintendent, PMA; Mr. Hans T. Sy- Chairman, Executive Committee, SM Prime Holdings Inc.; Ar. Jose Siao Ling- Principal Architect of JSLA and Associates; Engr. Manuel Sy, President – New Golden City Builders and Development Corp.; Engr. Arthur Carlos-Construction Manager of CONSTEK Management Group Inc.; Ar. Jessie Siao Ling- Principal Architect of JSLA and Associates.
The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) broke ground on a new cadet facility in Baguio City, marking a significant step in an ambitious expansion plan that seeks to nearly double the size of the country’s premier officer training institution over the next two decades.
The project, named the Henry Sy Sr. Hall, is being funded by SM Prime Holdings Inc., the integrated property developer controlled by the family of the late retail tycoon Henry Sy. The partnership underscores a deepening trend of private-sector investment in national defense infrastructure as the government looks to modernize its security and leadership training capabilities.
Under its long-term Growth Plan, the academy aims to increase the size of the Cadet Corps to 2,000 by 2040. This expansion requires a massive overhaul of its existing facilities, which were originally designed for a much smaller student body. The Henry Sy Sr. Hall is intended to serve as a cornerstone of this development, providing the academy with the capacity to host large-scale training activities, official functions, and indoor sports.
Designed by JSLA Architects, the two-story structure will be anchored by a multipurpose hall capable of accommodating 2,500 people. Project planners have stated that the design will incorporate features tailored to the specific climate of Baguio, where the academy is situated, while ensuring the building meets the PMA’s infrastructure needs through the middle of the century. The facility is scheduled for completion by 2028.
Hans T. Sy, chairman of the executive committee at SM Prime, said the investment reflects the company’s belief that the environment in which cadets are trained is as critical as the curriculum itself. He noted that the future of the Philippines is inextricably linked to the strength of its institutions, adding that the new hall is designed to support the academy’s evolution as it prepares graduates for modern leadership and national service.
The academy is also positioning itself as a strategic hub for disaster response operations in Northern Luzon. By upgrading its mess halls, living quarters, and assembly spaces, the PMA intends to reinforce its role as a premier defense education center capable of responding to both domestic security challenges and the increasing frequency of climate-related emergencies in the region.
The Philippine Military Academy has served as the primary source of commissioned officers for the Armed Forces of the Philippines for more than a century. As the institution navigates more complex regional security dynamics and internal modernization, officials say that continued investment in shared spaces and training environments is essential to sustaining its legacy of leadership development.