SM Prime to build PMA cadet facility

MANILA, Philippines — Sy-led SM Prime Holdings Inc. is supporting the growth intiatives of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) with a new cadet facility named after the SM Group’s founder.

The PMA recently broke ground on the Henry Sy Sr. Hall, a project supported by SM Prime as part of its commitment to nation-building.

The Henry Sy Sr. Hall will be a two-story structure anchored by a large multipurpose hall that can accommodate up to 2,500 individuals for training activities, official functions and indoor sports.

“By building the Henry Sy Sr. Hall, we hope to provide a facility that supports the academy’s continued evolution. Because leadership is shaped not by ideals and tradition alone, but by its environment,” SM Prime executive committee chairman Hans Sy said.

Slated for completion by 2028, the Henry Sy Sr. Hall has features tailored to Baguio’s climate and the PMA’s long-term infrastructure needs.

The new facility is intended to help address the PMA’s evolving requirements as it prepares cadets for the demands of modern leadership and national service.

The project also showcases the role of private-sector participation in strengthening institutions that shape the country’s future leaders.

Under its growth plan, the PMA targets to expand the Cadet Corps to 2,000 by 2040, to be bolstered by major infrastructure projects, including a new mess hall.

The plan is intended to reinforce the PMA’s position as a leading defense education institution and a future hub for disaster response in Northern Luzon.

“The future of the Philippines depends on strong leadership, and strong leadership is shaped by strong institutions. We believe the PMA is central to that effort,” Sy said.