Sapphire International Aviation Academy (SIAA) has recently announced its new courses to boost the aviation education in the region.
Sapphire International Aviation Academy (SIAA), since it started in 2004, has continuously provided the aviation industry with qualified, dedicated, and work oriented personnel through its roster of graduates, both locally and internationally.
The academy on its inception, offered flight training courses which covers the Private Pilot Licensure (PPL) and Commercial Pilot Licensure (CPL) with Instrument Rating. Recently, the academy opens its 2-year courses in Aircraft Maintenance Technology and Avionics Technician, and 4-year college degree programs of Bachelor of Science in Aviation Engineering Technology and the Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management.
In order to further boost and cement its niche in the aviation manpower market, SIAA offers special courses on Flight Operations Officer (Flight Dispatcher) and Flight Attendant Trainings.
On August 22, the House of Representatives approved House Bill No. 7323, as proposed by Hon. Ron Selo, Kabayan Partylist Representative of the House Ways and Means Committee on the establishment of the National Aviation Academy of the Philippines (NAAP).
The bill shall strengthen and modify the existing charter of Philippine State College of Aeronautics (PHILSCA) so that it can further promote and provide aeronautics and other aviation-related courses and offer a more direct access for families of military personnel serving under the Philippine Air Force especially as being part of the bill, the establishment of a specific campus for their dependents.
In an interview of PIA Mimaropa with SIAA Calapan Campus Chairman BGen. Ernesto B. Levanza, he said that this will definitely improve the quality of technical capability of the graduates that will be harnessed by the Philippine Air Force.
Levanza also emphasized that aviation serves as the fastest bridge to bring people to participate in all these activities.
Aviation Industry in MIMAROPA
The Mimaropa region comprises of provinces rich with natural splendour which has attracted scores of tourists both local and foreign in the past decades. Tourism generates development in a diversity of economic investments and businesses.
“The presence of airports in this region provides the safest and convenient means of travel, and with such, the provision of services for these activities creates a venue for the employment of workers in the region,” said Levanza.
SIAA has currently four (4) campuses, two (2) of which are located in the MIMAROPA region, one in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro and the other, at Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
In so many varied ways, SIAA has collaborated with the host local government units with regards to community-based trainings as well as during times of local and national crisis as part of the academy’s social commitment since it is an affiliated Philippine Air Force Reserve Unit (PAFARU), designated as the 130th Air Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group (AISRG) by former President Rodrigo R. Duterte. (GATS/PIA MIMAROPA)