SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian is advocating for a bill that would rename the Philippine State College of Aeronautics (PhilSCA) as the National Aviation Academy of the Philippines (NAAP), designating it as the country’s national professional institution for aviation.

Gatchalian highlighted the importance of promoting aviation safety and security, particularly following recent air crash incidents, including the February 6 crash of a U.S.-contracted surveillance plane in Maguindanao del Sur, which killed all four personnel on board, and the death of a female pilot in a helicopter crash in Nueva Ecija on the same day.

Under Senate Bill No. 2969 (the National Academy of the Philippines Charter Act), the NAAP would provide world-class academic and professional training for Filipinos in aviation and related fields. The bill mandates the NAAP to produce well-trained professionals capable of meeting the needs of both the local and international aviation industries.

The proposed measure also emphasizes developing innovative teaching methods, fostering industry-academia collaboration, and expanding programs in aviation and related fields. NAAP would offer a variety of programs, including:

Bachelor of Science in Air Transportation (specializing in Commercial Pilot)

Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering, including Drone Technology

Associate in Aircraft Maintenance Technology

Associate in Aircraft Electronic Technology

The NAAP would also focus on providing equitable access to its programs for disadvantaged students, Indigenous peoples, and those from underprivileged areas, while offering scholarships and other affirmative action programs.

“The enactment of this measure will elevate the Philippine aviation industry to international standards,” Gatchalian stated in the bill’s explanatory note.

Since Academic Year 2014-15, the PhilSCA system has maintained an average enrollment of 18,040 students annually, producing an average of 3,266 graduates per year.