Baguio city: What stands as among the cornerstones of the training life of former Philippine Military Academy (PMA) cadets will soon give way to a modern facility. 'For generations of cadets, the Barrio Barracks was known as their first home inside Fort Del Pilar. It was where plebes stayed after Reception Rites and throughout their fourth-class year, and where many of the earliest lessons in discipline, hardship, and perseverance were learned,' Vice Admiral Caesar Bernard Valencia, PMA superintendent, said in a statement on Thursday.

According to Philippines News Agency, for many years, the barracks formed part of the PMAers' cadet life. 'It was a place associated with discipline, transition, endurance, and the early formation of military character. It occupies an important place in the memory of the corps, having served generations of cadets in their journey toward becoming officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,' Valencia said.

Lt. Commander Jesse Nestor Saludo, PMA Public Affairs Office chief, who also graduated from the academy, stated that the Barrio area was once a vacant lot used for athletics, called Mayo Fields. The first building was erected in 1982, which was called Mayo Hall to house one company of the cadet corps. Two additional buildings were built in 1984 but inaugurated in 1986, known as Mayo Hall Annex and Ramos Hall.

The Barrio Barracks could accommodate more than 350 cadets, intended for the training of new entrants or plebes. It could accommodate three companies of the Cadet Corps Armed Forces of the Philippines (CCAFP). With the demolition, cadets will be accommodated in the existing cadet barracks at Enrile Hall, Regis Hall, and Florendo Hall.

Valencia added that it will be replaced by the Henry Sy Sr. Hall, standing on a 21,000 square meters multi-use modern facility two-story structure for a wider range of activities. It is designed to meet the Academy's long-term target of at least 2,000 cadets. The construction is estimated to be completed in 18 months or less.

Among its features are a main dining hall that can seat up to 2,500 cadets at the same time, an executive dining area, a modern kitchen, storage areas, offices for the Cadet Mess Department, and billeting for the crew. Designed as a flexible space, it can support sports, assemblies, training, and administrative activities. It will also have a rainwater harvesting system with integrated water treatment for selected operational needs.

The project reflects PMA's effort to align its infrastructure with the changing demands of military education and training in a more complex security environment.