MANILA – The recent turnover of the Philippine Ports Authority’s (PPA) K-9 Training Academy to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will help boost port and coastal security in the country.
In a statement on Thursday, the PPA said the K-9 Training Academy is poised to become the premier provider of K-9 security in the country by setting new standards for canine-based safety and protection.
“With a focus on world-class training, cutting-edge facilities, and expert instructors, the K-9 academy aims to revolutionize K-9 security operations across the country,” the PPA said.
The K-9 academy, the first in Southeast Asia, was turned over to the PCG in a ceremony held in Barangay Dolores, Mabalacat, Pampanga on Wednesday.
“With this transfer, the PCG will further strengthen its counterterrorism, anti-smuggling, and law enforcement efforts at the nation’s critical maritime points of entry,” the PPA said.
During the ceremony, PPA General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago said the turnover aims to make the academy more efficient, practical, and cost-effective.
“Para magkaroon po tayo ng isang uniform, iisang standard, at iisang panuntunan upang magkaroon ng dekalidad na serbisyo sa larangan ng K-9 services sa buong bansa (This is so we will have a uniform, standard, one set of rules for quality K-9 service in the entire country),” Santiago said.
He noted that the PPA and PCG would continue to maintain strong ties and that the turnover is just the beginning of expanding K-9 services and assets.
“Sa darating po na mga buwan ay ipupundar na natin ang mga programa ng PPA at PCG para sa pagpapalawig ng kapasidad ng K-9 command ng PCG (In the coming months, we will invest in programs of the PPA and PCG to boost the capacity of the latter’s K-9 command),” he said.
The K-9 academy is equipped to train at least 128 dogs and 100 handlers.
It houses several specialized sections, such as a canine development center, a canine school, a canine breeding center, a canine hospital, and a kennel management and biosecurity unit.
These facilities are designed to offer comprehensive training for various K-9 roles, such as bomb threat detection, fugitive apprehension, narcotics interception, and other security-related functions. (PNA)