CLARK Freeport in Pampanga will now be the "school" and home to hundreds of K9 and handlers as Southeast Asia's first K9 training academy began its construction on Wednesday, August 25, 2021.
In its Facebook post, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said the "K9 Academy" -- with a starting capacity of 100 K-9 force and 100 handlers -- will provide all the quality training phases, techniques, and best practices for the skills and aptitude enhancement of dogs, as well as the certification, evaluation, and development of research doctrines.
The PCG added that the academy will also conduct research on WD pedigrees, their procurement, and breeding, veterinary care and maintenance of resources, among others, and will include five attached units: the Canine Development Center, Canine School, Canine Breeding Center, Canine Hospital, and Kennel Management and Biosecurity.
For his part, Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said the academy would be open to all other branches of government.
“Hindi lang ililimit ‘yung mga ma-train na K9 sa pangangailangan ng PCG. Ito ay iaalok at ipapagamit ko rin sa iba pang kagawaran, departamento, at ahensiya ng gobyerno (We won't limit the trained K9s to the needs of the PCG," Tugade said during the groundbreaking rites.
(This will not be limited to PCG's need for K9 training. We will offer it for use by other departments and agencies of the government).
The K9 academy is a partnership of the PCG, Philippine Ports Authority and the Clark Development Corporation. (JTD)