THE Philippine Military Academy (PMA) expects to train as many as 2,000 cadets at a time — increasing its current capacity by 50% — by 2040 once ongoing infrastructure projects and curriculum reforms are completed.
PMA Superintendent Vice Admiral Caesar Bernard Valencia said the expansion is part of the academy’s long-term roadmap to prepare future military officers for the demands of modern warfare and national defense.
Valencia said the academy’s development plan is being supported by both government and private sector partners through infrastructure projects aimed at increasing the institution’s training capacity and improving facilities.
The PMA currently has about 1,300 cadets across all four-year levels undergoing military and academic training for future service in the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Valencia said the academy has already begun implementing a modernized curriculum that includes subjects such as data analytics, electronic warfare, Python programming, digital warfare, and unmanned systems.
He said the curriculum changes are intended to equip future military officers with the skills needed to operate in cyberspace and respond to evolving security threats.
According to Valencia, the curriculum shift was in response to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive during the PMA graduation ceremonies in 2024 for the academy to adapt to 21st century warfare, where conflicts are increasingly fought in cyberspace rather than on traditional battlefields.
Among the academy’s major public-private partnership projects is the construction of a modern mess hall and multipurpose facility capable of accommodating more than 2,000 cadets in partnership with SM Prime Holdings.
Valencia said additional projects, including a world-class track oval and swimming pool, are also being pursued with private sector support.
He added that other infrastructure projects within the academy are funded through the national budget, while additional proposals are being prepared to address the evolving training requirements of cadets.
Valencia said recent PMA graduates had already undergone partial training under the updated curriculum, while members of Class 2029 and succeeding classes are expected to fully benefit from the reforms.
The PMA, based in Baguio City, is regarded as one of the region’s premier military training institutions and has produced thousands of military officers who later served in the AFP and other government positions.
