SENATOR Alan Peter Cayetano is advocating for institutional autonomy for the Philippine State College of Aeronautics (PhilSCA) and its elevation to the National Aviation Academy of the Philippines (NAAP).

Cayetano stressed the importance of enhancing PhilSCA’s academic and aviation standards to support its bid for autonomy.

“I think it’s just too important, and maganda ang timing. There’s so much opportunity talaga sa ating air force, so dapat sabay-sabay ang modernization ng equipment, building facilities, at human resources,” he said.

PhilSCA is the only state-funded institution in the country that offers specialized programs in aviation sciences, including master’s programs in aeronautical education and management.

Cayetano believes the proposed measure would not only benefit PhilSCA but also attract partnerships to improve the country’s airports, making them competitive with those in Hong Kong and Singapore.

“Our islands in Luzon, Visayas, or Mindanao could be like Singapore or Hong Kong. I’d like to push for this measure, not only to pass the law, but to ensure it’s properly funded and that we attract partners,” he added.

Several senators, including Senate President Francis Escudero and Senator Pia Cayetano, who manages the budget for state universities and colleges (SUCs), have expressed their support for the initiative.

“We’re committed to this. We want to create something with real synergy,” Cayetano noted.

He also emphasized the long-term benefits of investing in PhilSCA, saying improvements to aviation academies could have a significant impact on the next generation.

“I just want to emphasize, ang daming bills about elevating colleges. It’s all good, pero ang impact hindi generational. ‘Pag naayos natin ang naval at aviation academies, the impact over the next 25 to 50 years will be tremendous,” he concluded.