17,000 expected to take PMA exams

MANILA, Philippines - Around 17,000 applicants are expected to take the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) entrance exam in 37 testing centers nationwide on Aug. 26.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said about 12,500 aspiring cadets have submitted their documents to the PMA.

“The average daily rate of applications being passed is about 400. The academy is also expecting 3,000 to 5,000 walk-in applicants during the examination day,” Burgos said.

A total of 15,873 applicants took the test last year. Of this, 1,120 passed the written exam and 123 made it as PMA cadets.

The PMA is expecting the number of applicants to increase due to its decision to lower the height requirement for cadets.

The minimum height requirement has been lowered to 5’0” both for male and female. Previously, male applicants should be at least 5’4” high while aspiring female cadets should be at least 5’2.”

“The widening of the pool of cadet candidates assures a deep-selection of those who possess the qualifications PMA is looking for in its cadets,” PMA Superintendent Maj. Gen. Nonato Peralta Jr. said.

Peralta said the implementation of their policy against maltreatment would also encourage the students to consider a career in the military.

“With the staunch and resolute commitment of the academy to eradicate hazing in the cadet corps, PMA is geared towards providing a more responsive and relevant training environment that is people-centered and observant of human rights,” he said.

Burgos said the PMA proctors and facilitators are now finalizing the preparations for the entrance exam.

Applicants who pass the examination will be part of PMA Class 2017, the first batch to benefit from the government’s aggressive capability upgrade program.

Burgos said the military is acquiring equipment in line with its medium term acquisition plan that covers 2013 to 2017.

“This year’s successful applicants who will compose the PMA Class of 2017 will eventually be the first beneficiaries of AFP’s future defense acquisitions that will enable the country to achieve the minimum credible defense posture,” he said.

An applicant must be a natural-born Filipino citizen, physically fit, single and has never been married.

Aspiring cadets should have no administrative or criminal case, at least high school graduate, and at least 17 years old but not a day older than 22 years on April 1, 2013.

Successful applicants will be received officially on Aug. 1, 2013 at the PMA Campus in Fort Del Pilar, Baguio City.