MANILA, (PIA) — National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) Director-General Ricardo de Leon on Friday, September 29, called upon Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC) alumni to harness their newfound knowledge and experiences and give back to the institution that shaped them.
“A sustainable academic program is required. Therefore, I would like to request all the graduates, kung mayroon pa ho kayong maibabalik na serbisyo sa (if you can give your services back to) PPSC, to teach in all levels, including mga officer’s basic course. Then, ‘yung OSEC (Officer Senior Executive Course), then the MPSA (Master in Public Safety Administration), please do here, because our students now are hungry for new knowledge,” de Leon said to keynote the PPSC Alumni Homecoming 2023 in a ceremony held at the Heroes Hall of PPSC, Katipunan Avenue, Old Balara in Quezon City.
DG de Leon is accompanied by PPSC President Ferdinando Sevilla during the procession ceremony. (Photo by Janna Pineda/PIA-NCR)
De Leon’s inspirational message, delivered during a gathering of esteemed PPSC graduates, emphasized the vital role alumni play in empowering future generations of public safety professionals. He urged alumni to actively engage with the college, offering their expertise, insights, and mentorship to students.
He emphasized that the nation relies on the PPSC to produce highly trained individuals who serve as guardians of public safety and order.
He then commended the PPSC for its unwavering commitment to nurturing skilled and dedicated public servants, highlighting the importance of alumni returning to their roots, sharing their expertise, and becoming mentors and role models for current students.
“The reason why we keep on enhancing our curriculum is to provide students with the necessary knowledge to navigate the current and the future obstacles,” he said.
“Marami na tayo na-incorporate everytime there is new knowledge kagaya ng cybersecurity, sabi natin [before] i-introduce natin ‘yan, even geopolitics, geoeconomics, the Bloom’s economy, and so on,” he added.
(Translation: We have incorporated a lot every time there is new knowledge, such as cybersecurity, we said before, let’s introduce that, even geopolitics, geoeconomics, the Bloom’s economy, and so on.)
‘We were correct in introducing the program in 2016. And now we see that the new challenges have been addressed,” he further said.
Among the highlights of this year’s celebration are the conferment of awards to the Master in Public Safety Administration (MPSA) and Master in Crisis and Disaster Risk Management (MCDRM) Distinguished Alumni, and the presentation of MPSAAAI and MCDRMAAI Constitution and By-Laws.
The event, attended by alumni from various batches, served as a platform for networking and collaboration. It underscored the strong sense of camaraderie among PPSC graduates and their shared commitment to upholding the highest standards of public safety.
It can be recalled that the PPSC serves as the foremost educational institution dedicated to the training, human resource development, and continuing education of personnel within the police, fire, and jail services.
DG de Leon shares a light moment with Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Deputy Director-General Adolfo Ares Gutierrez, a long-time friend and also an outstanding PPSC alumnus. (Photo by Janna Pineda/PIA-NCR)
The college also plays a pivotal role in equipping these uniformed personnel with the knowledge and skills necessary for their demanding roles in public safety and security.
Moreover, the PPSC’s Master in Public Safety Administration (MPSA) stands out as a premier program within college. It is a one-year scholarship program tailored for highly qualified senior executives from both the public and private sectors. MPSA primarily targets uniformed officers engaged in public safety and security services. However, it also welcomes senior executives and fellows from various sectors, including government institutions, academia, industries, and policy think tanks.
The Master in Crisis and Disaster Risk Management (MCDRM), on the other hand, is another one-year scholarship program offered by PPSC. It targets highly qualified senior executives from diverse sectors, including government, academia, industries, and policy think tanks. Uniformed officers involved in the interior sector, public safety, and disaster risk management services are also eligible participants.
Prior to de Leon’s appointment as NICA chief by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., de Leon served as PPSC president, and an administrator and professor of various educational institutions. He was also the former deputy director-general of the Philippine National Police, and a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Matatag” Class of 1971. (PIA-NCR)
