THE Philippine Military Academy has introduced a bridging program to reduce the number of cadet dismissals due to academic failures.

PMA Superintendent Rear Admiral Caesar Bernard Valencia announced this during his confirmation hearing, following Rep. Raul ‘Boboy’ Tupas’ disclosure that 2,164 cadets had been dismissed from the academy between 2000 and 2024.

Dismissals resulted from various reasons, including loss of interest, academic failures, failure to return, and honor violations.

Valencia noted that the government invests P3.99 million per cadet up to graduation, with 70 percent of the cost allocated to cadet salaries and wages.

“The PMA has instituted a bridging program to address academic deficiencies, especially in Math and English, which are major factors in cadet attrition. Each PMA company now has academic officers whose responsibility is to ensure that cadets struggling academically receive extra instruction to bridge the gap,” Valencia explained.

Valencia also confirmed that cadets who choose not to return to the PMA must repay the amount the government has invested in their education.