Angara bats for creation of PAF academy

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Edgardo Angara yesterday underscored the need for the creation of the Philippine Air Force Academy (PAFA) to answer the inability of the Philippine Air Force Flying School (PAFFS) to cope with the required number and proper training of pilots.

“The improvement of the regular officer delivery system of the Philippine Air Force has a long-felt need in the military establishment. The PAF Flying Schools, which is at present the main source of regular officers in the PAF, can no longer cope with the required number and proper training of officer pilots for the PAF because of inadequate facilities and logistical support,” he said.

“Not only the facilities need improvement but it has to give chance for those willing to serve their country,” said Angara, who authored the PAFA Bill.

Since a college degree is an academic requirement to enter the PAFFS, he said thousands of gifted high school graduates are denied the opportunity to serve the country through the PAF simply because they are unable to obtain financial support for a college education.

According to Angara, the creation of PAFA is a response to this problem in line with the constitutional mandate of guaranteeing equal access of opportunity for public service.

This led him to file Senate Bill 886, which proposes that the commanding general of the Philippine Air Force shall organize and administer the academy.

The academic board will be composed of the superintendent, dean of corps professors, cadet commandant and each department shall have its head for continued close monitoring to ensure a systematic and professionalized system.

All these will be done through the Department of National Defense from which the PAFA will receive necessary appropriation for the improvement, operation and maintenance.

“The PAF Academy, as conceptualized, is geared towards making available an adequate and dedicated corps of professional Air Force officers with the proper education, training and orientation to lead and manage the complex technologies inherent in the field of aviation,” Angara said.