THE Philippine Military Academy (PMA) is still accepting walk-in applicants for its entrance examination, Major Julesther Cañada, PMA officer-in-charge for Davao, Tagum, Mati, Butuan, and Cagayan de Oro Testing, said in a virtual presser on Wednesday, August 19, 2020.

In the One Davao on Covid-19 virtual presser, Cañada said its online and mailed applications are already closed, thus, only walk-in applicants can apply provided that they bring with them complete requirements stated on the PMA website, www.pma.ph.

He said abled youth aged 17 to 21 years old are invited to take the free examination.

Requirements include applicant must be a natural-born Filipino citizen, physically fit with good moral character, single and never been married nor pregnant nor have a legal obligation to support a child or children and with a minimum height of 5 feet for both male/female.

Applicants must be at least 17 but not more than 22 years old on June 1 in the year of admission, high school graduate (Grade 12) with a general average of 85 percent or higher.

Cañada, however, clarified that the examination will be done physically and not online.

Aside from the privilege to serve the country, Cañada added that other benefits of being a PMAer include free education with a well-rounded curriculum, monthly salary and allowances, guaranteed job after graduation and progressive career as an officer in the Army, Navy and Air Force.

PMA will conduct its entrance exam in 44 testing centers nationwide, and in Davao, it will be scheduled on September 2 until 5; Tagum will be from September 9 to 12; Mati on September 16 to 19; Butuan on September 23 to 26; and in Cagayan de Oro City will be from September 30 to October 3.

"Dati po one day lang ang exam, Sunday, ngayon po, dahil sa Covid-19 pandemic, ay ginawa na po nating four to maintain ating social distancing," Cañada said.

PMA entrance exam is the first stage in the selection process for PMA cadetship.