BUTUAN CITY – A total of 1,221 aspiring cadets have taken the challenge and took the Philippine Military Academy Entrance Exam (PMAEE) in Cagayan de Oro City and Bayugan City on September 15 – 18, 2021.  

There were 521 young individuals who took the exam held at 4ID Headquarters Gymnasium in Camp Evangelista, Patag, Cagayan de Oro City on September 15-18, 2021 and 600 examinees held at Lope A. Asis Gym in Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur on September 16-18, 2021.

Out of the 672 online registered applicants in CDOC, only 48.1% or 315 reported and took the actual exam with 206 walk-in applicants while out of 459 online registered applicants in Bayugan City, 57.30% or 254 reported for the exam.

This is the second time that the PMAEE was held during the pandemic. Last year’s data for Cagayan de Oro showed that out of the 698 regular applicants, only 390 reported for the exam or 55.87%. There were 168 walk-in applicants who reported to take the exam for a total of 558 examinees.

While last year’s data for Bayugan City showed that out of 553 regular applicants, only 317 reported for the exam or 57.32%. There were 355 walk-in applicants who reported to take the exam for a total of 672 examinees.

Major Julesther Canada, Officer-In-Charge of the PMA Team in CDOC, said that the PMA’s Cadet Recruitment and Admission accepted exam registration was done via online application, mail application and thru walk-in application to give all interested applicants a chance to take the exam. 

He also said that aspiring cadets are really determined to take the exam despite the COVID-19 restrictions and strict protocols and guidelines as there was still a decent turn-out of examinees for this year’s PMAEE.

“During the previous years prior to the pandemic, Cagayan de Oro City produced more than 1,000 examinees every year. The low turnout of applicants can be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. The minimum health requirement for an applicant for the year 2021 to be allowed to enter the exam venue is a negative antigen test. For those still interested and qualified, there will be PMAEE next year, they may start now their preparations to be ready to take the challenge,” Maj. Canada said.

In his statement, Major General Romeo Brawner, Jr. said that the PMA Entrance Exam is the first stage in the recruitment process for cadetship. He said that this year’s PMAEE is different from the usual conduct of examination due to the pandemic. The previous one day event became a 4-day activity to comply with the proper protocols implemented to fight and counter the spread of the pandemic.

“This annual entrance examination nationwide is conducted to select the best and the brightest youths to compose the PMA class of 2026. We salute the determination of those who took the PMAEE. More than the free college education with a well-rounded curriculum and monthly pay and allowances, they will have the noble privilege of serving the country and its people, to have a progressive career as part of the Officer Corps in the Army, Air Force or Navy and lead soldiers to sustain peace and development in our country,” MGen. Brawner added. (Maj. Francisco Garello, Jr., DPAO, 4ID, PA/ PIA-Agusan del Sur)