Cadets now receive additional benefits, PNPA official says

The proposed additional benefits for Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) cadets are now in effect, public information office chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Louie Gonzaga said Wednesday.

“Yung pong proposal is already in effect. In fact, last February, we got hold of a copy of a fiscal directive from the National Headquarters of the Philippine National Police,” he said at a televised public briefing.

This means PNPA cadets are now receiving salaries equivalent to a Police Executive Master Sergeant. They also receive benefits and allowances given to regular government employees.

In November 2022, Speaker Martin Romualdez pushed for the benefits of cadets of the PNPA.

"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.

Under the Senate Bill No. 1596 or the PNPA Cadet Act filed by Senator Ramon Revilla Jr., PNPA cadets must be considered as national government’s employees.

They shall also receive salaries not higher than that of a PNP Lieutenant but not lower than that of a Police Executive Master Sergeant.

Meanwhile, Gonzaga said 208 PNPA cadets are set to graduate this year. Their commencement exercise will be held on March 10. —Joviland Rita/ VAL, GMA Integrated News