QUEZON CITY -- Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo M. Año today said that one of the key legacies of the Duterte administration is the establishment of the Philippine Public Safety Academy (PPSA), a dedicated training institution for the cadetship program of future fire and jail officers which is seen to upgrade public safety services in the country.
“The DILG is proud that the PPSA has been established, marking a new milestone in the Department’s pursuit of excellence in service. With the PPSA, we now have a dedicated academy for the future officers of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP),” Año said.
The PPSA was created with the signing of Department Circular No. 2022-009 "Creation and Operationalization of Philippine Public Safety Academy (PPSA) pursuant to Republic Act No. 11279.” The academy is intended to be a separate school for BFP and BJMP cadets who used to be trained under the auspices of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA).
“Ngayong papalapit na ang pagtatapos ng paglilingkod ko sa DILG, magaan ang loob kong magreretiro dahil nakatulong ako sa pagtaas ng antas ng kahusayan ng mga tauhan ng BFP at BJMP,” he said.
Año said the newly-inaugurated PPSA, which took the DILG and Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC) three years to establish, is temporarily holding classes at the National Forensic Science Training Institute (NFSTI) in Camp Vicente Lim in Calamba, Laguna while the Department is looking for a permanent campus for the academy.
In the temporary location, two dormitories are allotted to the 100 cadets (90 male cadets, 10 female cadets). Fifty slots each were allotted to each bureau, comprising 45 males and five females.
Speaking at the PPSA inauguration and the launching of the Pilot Batch Class of 2024, the DILG Secretary assured that “the DILG is always willing and ready to offer our full support to the PPSA as we continue our aim of building more peaceful, safe, and resilient Filipino communities.”
Año challenged the pioneering batch that they should set the bar high and to create a culture of patriotism, honor and excellence within the Academy. “The physical, mental and character-shaping rigors will push you to the edge of your strength, your wits, and your pride. Dito ninyo mararanasan ang tunay na pagod, gutom at uhaw. Dito ninyo matututunan ang tunay na pagpapakasakit at pagsasakripisyo para sa watawat, sa kapwa at sa bayan.”
He told the new cadets that life in the PPSA will fill them with courage, integrity, service and enjoined them to “walk the talk” and “remember that respect is earned not demanded.”
The Cadetship Program of the PPSA offers graduate degree courses for BFP and BJMP personnel, i.e. Bachelor of Science in Fire Protection Administration and Bachelor of Science in Penology and Corrections Administration. The two-year cadetship program is composed of 120 academic and 30 non-academic Units.
Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC) President PLt Gen. Ricardo de Leon (ret.) expressed gratitude for Año’s support for PPSC’s plans and programs. “We thank Secretary Año for being the father of the PPSA. Mabuhay kayo sir!” de Leon said.
The Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC) is under the administrative control of the PPSA. JSSupt Leonalyn Oloan has been appointed director of the PPSA. She will serve for a term of two years, which may be extended by the DILG secretary. (DILG)
