THE PHILIPPINE Ports Authority (PPA) expects a return on investment from its K9 Academy in four years by deploying drug- and bomb-sniffing dogs to other government agencies and private institutions for a fee, its general manager said on Monday.
“Through this, we can sustain it (K9 Academy) without having to rely on an annual budget,” Mr. Santiago, speaking partly in Filipino, told One News PH about the P125-million K9 Academy opening in Pampanga early next year in cooperation with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
It will be a training and breeding program that will produce the authority’s in-house K9 units instead of outsourcing them from third parties, which he touted as the first of its kind not just in the country but in Southeast Asia.
The PPA is expected to save up to P40 million of its annual budget allocated for outsourcing K9 units.
“Public fund is not wasted. The government even saves money through this program,” Mr. Santiago said, noting that the maintenance and food supply of the K9 units will be sourced from the program’s revenue.
With the deployment of K9 units in seaports proving effective in thwarting the smuggling of illegal drugs and explosives, the PCG is also developing K9 units that could detect agricultural contraband.
The K9 academy will house five organizations for training and service maintenance including the Canine Development Center, Canine School, Canine Breeding Center, Canine Hospital, and Kennel Management and Biosecurity.
Looking forward to the program, Ma. Bonissa V. Amodia-Ole, PCG K9 Force logistics officer, said: “We only have approximately 500 K9 units nationwide. It could be better for the safety and security of passengers in seaports if have more K9 units.” — Jomel R. Paguian
