Romualdez pushes for benefits of PNPA cadets, modernization of school

Speaker Martin Romualdez on Monday pushed for the benefits of cadets of the Philippine National Police Academy and autonomy for the school to pursue reforms through infrastructure, new equipment, and reorganization.

In a speech before participants in the Distinguished Visitors Program at the PNPA Grandstand in Silang, Cavite,   Romualdez said PNPA cadets should be given benefits in case of disability, sickness, or even death, during training.

He said there were pending measures in the House of Representatives providing for such reforms in the PNPA. He promised that these will be acted on under his leadership.

“In an increasingly globalized, highly advanced society, there is a need to modernize the PNPA and educate our police corps with new methods, so they may have the competency and expertise to deal with criminals employing new schemes and technology in the commission of a crime,” Romualdez said.

Romualdez then said that in pursuit of reforms, the police academy must be given the autonomy to build infrastructure, acquire necessary equipment, and reorganize administrative structures.

“The PNPA must also be authorized to determine exclusively its plans, policies, programs, curricula, and standards of teaching and training without any control, pressure, or influence,” Romualdez said.

Romualdez said PNPA cadets should be provided benefits in case of disability, sickness, or even death, during training.

“These measures desire to establish a PNPA corps of professors and instructors, and to create a system of faculty, placement, promotion, and development," Romualdez said.

"Most of the bills also seek to classify PNPA cadets as state scholars and treat their period of cadetship as part of their government service,” he added.

Romualdez said Congress allocated funds for anti-criminality intelligence, case recording and tracking, detection and investigation services, case filing and arrest, capacity building, operational readiness, and disaster and emergency response.

“Let us all do our share in keeping our communities safe, and in making sure that every Filipino family is free from danger and harm,” Romualdez said.