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First K9 academy in Southeast Asia nears completion, according to Philippine Ports Authority
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PPA general manager Jay Santiago said the academy 75% complete since breaking ground in August 2021
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The facility will cater to at least 128 K9 dogs and 100 handlers once completed
The first K9 academy in Southeast Asia will be fully operational in the first quarter of 2024, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said in a statement.
The announcement came during an on-site inspection of the facility conducted by PPA officials on October 12 in Barangay Dolores, Sitio Bana, Mabalacat, Pampanga, in conjunction with the Philippine Coast Guard.
PPA general manager Jay Santiago said the K9 school is 75% complete since breaking ground in August 2021. He acknowledged project delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic but construction is now back on track.
With an initial budget allocation of P100 million from the PPA, the facility will meet various government agencies’ K9 requirements.
It will enhance security at the nation’s ports by training K9 units for drug, explosive, and smuggling detection; it will serve 128 K9 dogs and 100 handlers.
Commander Ma. Bonissa Ole, the logistics officer of the Coast Guard K9 Force, highlighted the need to increase the number of trained K9 units, currently around 500 nationwide, to improve passenger safety at ports.
The PPA expects to save up to P40 million annually by eliminating the need for private working dogs and handlers.
