AN ACT DECLARING THE PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS AS THE NATIONAL PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTION FOR AVIATION RENAMING IT THE NATIONAL AVIATION ACADEMY OF THE PHILIPPINES, AND APPROPRIATING FUND THEREFOR

[ REPUBLIC ACT NO. 12255, September 05, 2025 ]

AN ACT DECLARING THE PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS AS THE NATIONAL PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTION FOR AVIATION RENAMING IT THE NATIONAL AVIATION ACADEMY OF THE PHILIPPINES, AND APPROPRIATING FUND THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

CHAPTER I
PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "National Aviation Academy of the Philippines Act".

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State shall promote quality and accessible education relevant to the changing needs of the people and society. It shall establish, maintain, and support a complete, adequate, and integrated aviation education and training system by strengthening the curricula of various aviation and other related courses consistent with international standards on aviation learning.

To this end, the National Aviation Academy of the Philippines, the leading higher education institution for aviation studies, is hereby declared the national professional institution for aviation.

Section 3. National Aviation Academy of the Philippines. - The existing Philippine State College of Aeronautics (PhilSCA) is hereby renamed the National Aviation Academy of the Philippines (NAAP). As such, the NAAP shall specialize in aviation and aviation-related programs.

Section 4. General Mandate. - The NAAP shall develop leaders in the Philippine aviation and aerospace industries, both in the private/commercial sector and the government, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and its three (3) mains branches - the Philippine Air Force (PAF), the Philippine Navy (PN), and the Philippine Army (PA), as well as the uniformed personnel.

To attain this purpose, the NAAP shall:

Section 5. Curricular Offerings. - The NAAP shall offer short-term, technical-vocational, undergraduate, and graduate courses and specialization in aviation and aviation-related programs such as the following" Bachelor of Science in Air Transportation specializing in Commercial Pilot Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering, including Drone Technology; Associate in Aircraft Maintenance Technology; and Associate in Aircraft Electronic Technology leading to Baccalaureate in Aircraft Maintenance Technology and Baccalaureate in Aircraft Electronic Technology.

The NAAP shall also provide education in Aviation Safety and Security, Supply Chain Management specializing in Aviation Logistics, and Aviation Information Technology.

The NAAP shall also develop and design academic offerings and confer degrees as appropriate, in accordance with relevant policies, standards, and guidelines of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Philippine Qualifications Framework, and with the CAPP Civil Aviation Regulations Part 3, Approved Training Organizations, and undergraduate and graduate programs in the filed of aviation.

The CHED and CAAP may appoint faculty and graduates of the NAAP and other colleges and universities to serve as technical evaluators upon acquiring the necessary qualifications and certifications in the field of aviation.

To meet the needs of the national government and local and international aviation industry requirements, the NAAP may add, remove, or revise undergraduate and graduate degree programs or diploma courses according to its capabilities and as the Board of Trustees may deem necessary to carry out its objectives: Provided, That no undergraduate and graduate degree program shall be offered without compliance with the prescribed policy, standard, and guidelines of the CHED and, as may be applicable, the CAAP.

Section 6. The NAAP Campuses. - The NAAP shall be composed of both regular and extension campuses established by its Board of Trustees upon the recommendation of its President.

The regular campuses of the NAAP shall include the following: Villamor Air Base Campus in Pasay City as the main campus; the Basa Air Base Campus in Floridablanca, Pampanga; the Fernando Air Base Campus in Lipa City, Batangas; the Brigadier General Benito N. Ebuen Air Base (BGBNEAB) Campus in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu and those may be created in the future.

The extension campuses of the NAAP shall include the following existing campuses: Basa-Palmayo Campus in Floridablanca, Pampanga; the BGBNEAB Campus in Medellin, Cebu; and those that may be created in the future.

Section 7. Academic Freedom. - The NAAP shall enjoy academic freedom, as provided in Republic Act No. 8292 or the "Higher Education Modernization Act of 1997", and Paragraph 2, Section 5 of Article XIV of the Constitution.

Section 8. Commitment to National Development. - The NAAP shall utilize the expertise of its community members and other individuals concerning the country's goals towards national development in the primary areas of aviation and other related fields for the improvement of the quality of life, growth of the economy, and transformation of the society.

With profound scientific and professional knowledge, the NAAP and its community members shall contribute to or take a solicited involvement in the public policy process.

As the national professional institution for aviation, the NAAP shall ensure the following:

Section 9. Democratic Access. - The NAAP shall democratize the admission process to enhance access to its programs and services for disadvantaged students, such as indigenous peoples and poor but deserving students, valedictorians and salutatorians of public high schools, and students from depressed areas.

It shall admit at least one (1) student from every region, who shall be recommended by the respective regional councils to the Bachelor of Science in Air Transportation and bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering programs: Provided, That applicants must pass the basic requirements for admission: Provided, further, That upon determination that there is no qualified applicant from a particular region, another qualified applicant, irrespective of domicile, shall be considered for such slot.

No student shall b denied admission to the NAAP by reason of age, gender, nationality, religious belief, economic status, ethnicity, physical disability, and political opinion or affiliation.

Section 10. Institutional Autonomy and Excellence. - As the national professional aviation institution, the NAAP shall enjoy institutional autonomy, pursuant to Paragraph 2, Section 5 of Article XIV of the Constitution, as well as the responsibility to maintain and enhance its high academic aviation standards in the performance of its instruction, extension, and community service.

Section 11. Administration. - The NAAP shall have the general powers of a corporation set forth in Republic Act No. 11232 or the "Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines". The administration of the NAAP and the exercise of its corporate powers shall be vested exclusively in the Board of Trustees and the President of the NAAP.

Section 12. Heads of NAAP Campuses. - The administration of each campuses shall be vested in a Campus Director who shall serve as head or administrator of each of the campuses and shall render full-time service for a term of two (2) years and may be reappointed to another term.

The campus director shall be appointed or designated by the Board of Trustees, upon the recommendation of the search committee and the NAAP President, subject to guidelines, qualifications, and standards set by the Board: Provided, That upon the effectivity of this Act, the incumbent Campus Directors of the existing campuses of the NAAP shall continue to serve as such until the expiration of their term.

Section 13. The Governing Board. - The governing board of the NAAP shall be the Board of Trustees, hereinafter referred to as the Board, which shall be created by the Chairperson of the CHED. The President of the NAAP shall be be the vice chairperson of the Board and the following shall be its members:

The Board shall appoint two (2) private sector representatives from a list of at least five (5) qualified persons, as recommended by a search committee constituted by the President of the NAAP, in coordination with the CHED Chairperson and other Board members, based on the standards and qualifications for the position set by the Board: Provided, That one of the private sector representatives must have a distinctive contribution in the field of aviation and advancement of aviation education in the country, and with reputable practice of the profession. The representatives shall serve for a term of two (2) years from the date of appointment.

The terms of office of the presidents of the federation of faculty associations, federation of student council, and federation of alumni associations shall be coterminous with their terms of office, as provided under their respective constitution and bylaws.

For the purpose, the association of faculty, alumni, and student councils in each campus shall organize themselves to form their respective federations, which in turn, shall elect their federation officials: Provided, That the alumni representative to the Board must not be a faculty or an employee of the NAAP, regardless of status or rank, at the time of representation.

Section 14. Compensation. - The members of the Board shall serve without compensation but shall be entitled to reimbursement of actual and necessary expenses incurred to attend meetings of the Board and other official business authorized by the Board, subject to existing laws, rules, and regulations.

Section 15. Powers and Duties of the Board. - The administration of the NAAP and the exercise of its corporate powers are vested in the Board, which shall have the following specific powers and duties in addition to its general powers of administration and the exercise of all the powers granted to the Board of Directors of a Corporation under Section 35 of Republic Act No. 11232.

Section 16. Meetings of the Board. - The Board shall regularly convene once every three (3) months. The Chairperson of the Board may, however, call a special meeting whenever necessary: Provided, That members are notified in writing at leas three (3) working days prior to the conduct of said meeting.

A quorum of the Board shall consist of majority of all its members holding office at the time of the meeting: Provided, That the Chairperson of the Board or the President of the NAAP is among those present in the meeting.

In case of the Chairpersons of the CHED cannot attend a meeting of the Board, a CHED Commissioner duly designated as representative to the meeting by the CHED Chairperson shall have all the rights and responsibilities of a regular member: Provided, That during the meeting, the President of the NAAP, as Vice Chairperson, shall be the presiding officer: Provided, further, That the provision notwithstanding, the CHED Chairperson may designate a CHED Commissioner as a regular Chairperson to the Board, in which case, the said CHED Commissioner shall act as the presiding officer.

In case the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education, the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education, the Commanding General of the PAF, the Secretary of the DEPDev, and the Director General of the CAAP are unable to attend the Board meeting, they may designate their respective representatives who shall have the same rights and responsibilities as regular members of the Board: Provided, That the DEPDev shall be represented by its Director designated by the Secretary of the DEPDev, and CAAP shall be represented by an Assistant Director General designated by the Director General of the CAAP.

Section 17. The NAAP President. - The NAAP shall be headed by a President who shall be appointed by the Board, subject to its guidelines, qualifications, and standards, and based on the recommendation of a Search Committee duly constituted for the purpose of selecting the President.

The President shall be the chief executive officer, academic officer, and the head of the NAAP and the faculty. As such, the President shall exercise the power specifically provided in this Act, those determined by the Board, those that usually pertain to the Office of the President of similar educational institutions, and those that are related or necessary to its functions.

The NAAP President shall render full-time service of a term of four (4) years, and may be reappointed to another term.

The powers and duties of the President of the NAAP, in addition to those provided in this Act, shall include those usually pertaining to the Office of the President of similar state colleges and those delegated by the Board.

The salary of the President of the NAAP shall be in accordance with Republic Act No. 11466, and such other laws amendatory thereto, which may hereinafter be enacted, and on the joint circular for state universities and colleges' leveling instruments, and guidelines of the CHED and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

Within six (6) months before the expiration of the term of office of the President of the NAAP, the Board shall constitute the Search Committee for the presidency, and shall ensure the appointment or reappointment of a President on or before the expiration of the term.

In case of vacancy in the Office of the President by reason of death, compulsory retirement, resignation, removal for cause, or incapacity of the President to perform the functions of the office, the Board shall designate an Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the NAAP, pending the appointment of a new President.

The President of the NAAP shall be assisted by the following officials: Vice President for Academic Affairs; Vice President for Administration, Planning, and Finance; and the Vice President for Research, Development, and Extension, who shall be appointed by the Board upon the recommendation of the President of the NAAP.

Section 18. The Secretary of the NAAP. - The Board shall appoint a Secretary who shall serve as such for both the Board and the NAAP and shall keep all records and proceedings of the Board in addition to other duties and responsibilities. The Secretary of the NAAP shall serve the appropriate notice of Board meetings upon each member of the Board.

Section 19. The Treasurer of the NAAP. - The Treasurer of the Philippines shall be the ex officio Treasurer of the NAAP.

Section 20. The Administrative Council. - There shall be an Administrative Council consisting of the President of the NAAP, as Chairperson, and the vice presidents, deans, directors, and other officials of equal rank, as members whose duty is to review and recommend to the Board such policies governing the administration, management, and development planning of the NAAP.

Section 21. The Academic Council. - There shall be an Academic Council consisting of the President of the NAAP as chairperson, and all academic staff with the rank of at least an assistant professor as members.

The Academic Council shall review and recommend the curricular offerings, fix the requirements for the admission of students as well as for graduation and conferment of degrees, exercise disciplinary power over the students, and formulate rules and regulations on student discipline, subject to the review and approval of the Board through the President of the NAAP.

Section 22. The Skills Training Council. - There shall be a Skills Training Council, which shall be composed of the NAAP President, as Chairperson; the Dean of the Institute of Engineering and technology, as vice chairperson; and a Senior Faculty with the rank of Associate Professor and having a license issued by the CAAP and the Professional Regulation Commission, as member. The Council shall act as an advisory body to the Board on matters relating to setting skills training directions, planning, fund sourcing, and allocation, and formulating and reviewing policies and guidelines pertaining to the skills training program of the NAAP.

Section 23. The Faculty. - No political belief, gender preference, cultural or community affiliation or ethnic origin, or religious opinion of affiliation shall be a matter of inquiry in the appointment of faculty members of the NAAP: Provided, That said appointment shall be subject to the guidelines, qualifications, and standards set by the Board: Provided, further, That no member of the faculty shall teach for or against any particular church or religious sect.

Section 24. Technical Faculty, Employees, and Consultants. - To ensure quality, relevant, and up-to-date education he NAAP shall also maintain a pool of local and international part-time faculty members who shall teach technical subjects, as well as employees and consultants who shall perform technical work. These technical faculty, employees, and consultants shall posses special knowledge, skills, and know-how in the various field of aviation. They shall receive fair and appropriate compensation comparable to that of their counterparts in the private sector, as determined by the Board. They shall also have the privilege to arrange their specific work schedule, subject to existing Civil Service laws, rules, and regulations.

Section 25. Scholarship Programs and Admission. - The NAAP shall provide scholarships and other affirmative action programs to assist poor but deserving students who qualify for admission to the NAAP.

No student shall be denied admission to the NAAP by reason of gender, religion, political, cultural or community affiliation, or ethnic groups.

Section 26. Student Affairs. - There shall be established in the NAAP the following student councils: for every colleges or institute, a student council; for every campus, a campus student council; and for the entire NAAP, a federation of all student councils. The student council shall serve as the primary student body that shall advance the interests, welfare, and aspirations of the students of the NAAP. It shall have the power to adopt internal rules of procedure consistent with the provisions of this Act.

Subject to due and comprehensive consultation with the students, there shall be a student publication established in every campus funded by student fees. Freedom of expression and autonomy in all matters of editorial and fiscal policy shall be guaranteed, especially in the selection of its editors and staff.

Section 27. Land Grants and Other Real Properties of the NAAP. - The State shall support the NAAP as the professional institution for aviation through the annual General Appropriations Act, other financial benefits, and in kind, through land grants and donations and use of other real properties. To carry out the intent of these grants, income derived from the development of all land grants and real properties shall be used to further the ends of the NAAP, as may be determined by the Board.

Such parcels of land ceded by law, degree, or Presidential issuance to the NAAP are declared to be reserved for the purpose intended. The absolute ownership of the NAAP over these landholdings, including those covered by original and transfer certificates of title in the name of the NAAP and their future derivatives, is hereby confirmed. Where the issuance of proper certificates of title for these landholdings is pending, the appropriate government office may expedite the issuance thereof within six (60 months from the date of effectivity of this Act: Provided, That all registration requirements necessary for the issuance of the said titles have been submitted and complied with.

The Board may plan, design, approve, and cause the implementation of land leases: Provided, That such mechanisms and arrangements shall sustain and protect the environment in accordance with law, and exclude the academic core zone of the campuses of the NAAP: Provided, further, That such mechanisms and arrangements shall not conflict with the academic mission of the NAAP.

The Board may allow the use of the income from real properties of the NAAP as security for transactions to generate additional revenues, when needed for educational purposes.

The Board may approve the implementation of joint ventures: Provided, That when the real properties of the NAAP are involved, only the income derived by NAAP from the use of real properties shall be the subject of its participation or obligation in the joint ventures: Provided, further, That no joint venture shall results in the alienation of the real properties owned by the NAAP.

Any plan to generate revenues and other sources from land grants and other real properties entrusted to the NAAP shall be consistent with the academic mission and orientation of the NAAP, and shall be protected from undue influence and control of commercial interests: Provided, That such programs, projects, or mechanisms shall be approved by the Board, subject to a transparent and democratic process of consultation with the constituents of the NAAP: Provided, further, That funds generated from such programs, projects, or mechanisms shall not be meant to replace, in whole or in part, the annual appropriations provided by the national government to the NAAP.

Section 28.Safeguards on Assets Disposition. - The preservation of the value of the assets of the NAAP shall be of primary consideration.

The sale of any existing property of the NAAP shall be prohibited: Provided, That the Board may alienate real property donated after the effectivity of this Act if the terms of the donation specifically allow it.

Section 29. Authority to Loan or Transfer Apparatus, Equipment, Supplies and Detail of Personnel. - The heads of national government agencies and instrumentalities may, upon the request of the Board, through the President of the NAAP, loan or transfer such apparatus, equipment, or supplies as may be needed by the NAAP, and detail personnel for duty therein: Provided, That such loan, transfer, or detail shall not be detrimental to public service.

The detailed personnel shall perform such duties as required by the President of the NAAP and the time thus served shall be counted as part of their regular service.

Section 30. Management of Assets, Liabilities, Personnel and Records of the NAAP. - Al real and personal assets, personnel, records, as well as liabilities or obligations of the PhilSCA are hereby transferred to the NAAP: Provided, That the positions, rights, and security of tenure of its faculty members and personnel under exiting laws prior to the conversion to an academy shall be respected: Provided, further, That the incumbents occupying the position shall remain in the same status until otherwise provided by the Board: Provided, finally, That the NAAP shall also accordingly upgrade or increase its human resource component as may be deemed appropriate by the Board.

All parcels of land belonging to the government occupied by the PhilSCA and all its campuses are hereby declared as property of the NAAP, and shall be titled under its name, except those that are titled under the AFP through the PAF, which the NAAP may continue to use for the purposes stated herein, under a usufructuary agreement or any other arrangement as may be agreed upon by the parties: Provided, That if the NAAP ceases to exist or abolished, or if such aforementioned parcels of land are no longer needed by the NAAP, the same shall revert to the concerned local government unit or to the Republic of the Philippines, as the case may be: Provided, further, That such reversion shall not impair the obligation of contracts.

Section 31. Duty and Tax Exemptions. - The importation of books, or publication, instruments, equipment, and apparatuses, which are for economic, technical-vocational, scientific, philosophical, historical, legal, cultural, or aviation-related purposes, including aircraft and aircraft tools and equipment, computers and software equipment, made by the NAAP, upon certification by the CHED, shall be exempt from customs duties in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 10863 or the "Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA)".

All grants, bequests, endowments, donations, and contributions made to and used actually, directly, and exclusively for educational purposes by the NAAP, shall be exempt from donor's tax and shall be considered as allowable deduction from gross income for purposes of computing the taxable income of the donor in accordance with the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended.

Section 32. Development Plan, Management Audit, and Organizational, Administrative, and Academic Structure. - Within one hundred twenty (120) days after the approval of this Act, the NAAP shall accomplish the following:

Section 33. Reportorial Requirements and Auditing of Accounts. - The NAAP shall submit an annual report to Congress containing the financial statements, statement of assets and liabilities, and statement of income from tuition fees and other revenue sources. All accounts and disbursements of the NAAP shall be audited by the COA.

Section 34. Rules of Construction. - No statutory or other issuances shall diminish the powers, rights, privileges, and benefits accorded to the NAAP under this Act, or those enjoyed at present under other issuances issuances not otherwise modified or repealed under this Act unless subsequent legislation expressly provides for their repeal, amendment, or modification. Any doubt in the interpretation of any provision of this Charter, shall be resolved in favor of the academic freedom and institutional autonomy of the NAAP.

Section 35. Suppletory Application. - The provisions of Republic Act No. 8292 or the "Higher Education Modernization Act of 1997", shall form part of this Act.

Section 36. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the PhilSCA. Thereafter, such amount shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Section 37. Transitory Provision. - To provide strategic direction and leadership to the NAAP in the transition of PhilSCA for a pioneer status as the national professional institution for aviation and to ensure the attainment of its distinctive and purposeful mandate, as provided in this Act, the incumbent President of the PhilSCA shall serve as the first President of the NAAP for a term of four (4) years without reappointment.

Section 38. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the approval of this Act, the Board shall, in consultation with the CHEd and the CAAP, issue rules and regulations to implement its provisions.

Section 39. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any part or provision of this Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 40. Repealing Clause. - Presidential Decree No. 1078, titled "Converting the Basa Air Base Community College into the Philippine Air Force College of Aeronautics, Providing for a Charter for this Purpose:, and Republic Act No. 7605, titled "An Act Converting the Philippine Air Force College of Aeronautics into a State College to be known as the Philippine State College of Aeronautics and for Other Purposes, Amending Presidential Decree Numbered Ten Hundred and Seventy-Eight, titled "Converting the Basa Air Base Community College into the Philippine Air Force College of Aeronautics, Providing for a Charter for this Purpose", and all other laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, and issuances inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are amended, repealed, or modified accordingly.

Section 41. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days after its complication publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,

This Act was passed by the Senate of the Philippines as Senate Bill No. 2969 on June 9, 2025 and adopted by the House of Representatives as an amendment to House Bill No. 10403 on June 10, 2025.

Approved: SEP 05 2025

(SGD.) FERDINAND ROMUALDEZ MARCOS JR.
President of the Philippines