Construction has started for the new Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Academy, a training institution dedicated to drug law enforcement and education, on a 11-hectare lot in Tanay, Rizal.
Located in Sitio Tablo, Barangay Cayumbay, the site will be the permanent location of the PDEA Academy, which is envisioned to be a center of excellence in drug law enforcement with state-of-the-art facilities devoted to education, research and training.
Aside from the recruitment and training of future drug enforcement officers, the new PDEA Academy establishes itself as an excellent provider of programs and scholarships on relevant anti-drug laws and researches; development of curricula and implementation of appropriate training for drug law enforcers and other stakeholders.
The PDEA noted that the infrastructure is poised to become a stamping ground for various activities such as physical conditioning and fitness exercises; military-related undertakings; combat shooting and marksmanship; and other field exercises and learning endeavors for the continuous development of all its personnel.
PDEA acquired the 10-hectare expanse through a usufructuary agreement with the local government of Tanay, Rizal in March 2021. The issuance of a local Sangguniang Bayan Resolution granted the Agency an additional 11,572 square meters of neighboring land four months after.
The establishment of the PDEA Academy entails an estimated cost of P1.56 billion spanning a five-year implementation phase (from 2022 to 2027).
As a result of a Congressional Initiative in 2022, an initial amount of P50 million was allocated to fund the phase 1 of the project, thus paving the way for the on-going construction of a multi-purpose building, and perimeter fences with gate and guard around the property.
Citing the congressional insertions in the 2024 budget, PDEA is set to receive an additional P500 million intended for the site’s construction of road networks; water and drainage system; electrical power supply; and design and construction plans of priority buildings and facilities.
Since 2006, the PDEA Academy has been temporarily occupying a meager 5,600 square meters of land inside Camp General Mariano Castañeda, Barangay Tartaria, Silang, Cavite where its flagship program – the Drug Enforcement Officers Basic Course (DEOBC), is helmed.
From 2006 to 2023, the PDEA Academy has produced 20 DEOBC classes and 2,319 graduate Agents, while 249 specialized courses have been conducted to 9,604 participants.
Altogether, the institution was able to churned out 269 training for 11,923 drug enforcement officers; administrative and technical personnel; and members of other law enforcement agencies.