Wednesday, March 28, 2007 Military academy asked to allow school erection in campus By Jane Caldalig
THE Philippine Military Academy (PMA) is being urged to allow the establishment of a school within the military reservation.
Residents of Kias and Virac petitioned PMA superintendent Leopoldo Maligalig to allow the conduct of a survey of a portion of the lot under Proclamation 2405.
The lot is being applied as a site for a school. This as the Kias-Virac Residents Association (KVRA) passed a resolution asking President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to segregate portions of Proclamation 2405 for the establishment of a school to be named after her father, former President Diosdado Macapagal.
In their petition, the residents asked Maligalig to give his consent to Engineer Florencio Mabudyang to conduct a survey on the lot being applied for a school site.
The Office of the President has directed the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to conduct an investigation and come up with recommendations regarding the petition.
The DENR, through the Land Surveys Division, recently granted an authority for Mabudyang to proceed with the survey, subject however to PMA's consent.
But Mabudyang could not proceed with the survey because the military institution does not allow him yet.
The PMA earlier announced that the existing school within the institution would be closed down in 2010. This is to give way to the implementation of PMA's 10-year strategic development plan, which includes the put-up of training support system and infrastructure facilities.
The PMA management said initial development in the area would start in 2009.
The Fort del Pilar Elementary School (FES) was set up purposely to accommodate the children of PMA personnel, but based on latest data, only 10 percent of PMA dependents are enrolled in the school.
