The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) formally inaugurated its upgraded Army Laboratory at Melchor Hall with Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, Philippine Army Commanding General, gracing the occasion on 20 February 2026. The project transforms the PMA’s Army Laboratory into a modern, interactive, and technology-integrated learning environment designed to enhance instruction, operational simulation, and institutional pride, while preserving the historic character of Melchor Hall.

The lab serves as a vital academic and training venue where cadets develop leadership, tactical, and analytical skills essential to their future roles as Philippine Army officers. PMA leadership expressed gratitude to the Philippine Army for its strong support in upgrading branch-specific training facilities, emphasizing that the modernized lab will help bridge classroom concepts with the realities of contemporary land operations.

Key features of the upgraded Army Lab

• Modern Army Classrooms. Two refurbished classrooms provide increased cadet capacity, improved audio-visual and ICT systems, and an enhanced professional learning environment. These rooms support interactive discussions on doctrine, leadership, and operations, as well as small-group planning and critiques.

• Tactical Command Post Simulation System Room. The centerpiece of the upgrade is a dedicated command post simulation room that allows cadets to apply Troop Leading Procedures, visualize the battlefield, conduct map reconnaissance, and rehearse concepts using projected floor maps. Writable acrylic white-top tables support collaborative planning and wargaming, while a radio operations setup enables realistic command-and-control and communications practice. The room also includes an instructor and guest area for debriefs and evaluation, is compatible with GIS and related digital tools, and functions as a versatile command-post environment for simulated tactical operations.

• Enhanced Hallway Display and Heritage Zone. The corridor leading to the lab has been redesigned with human-scale display boards, a central diorama depicting a contemporary Philippine Army operational scene, and Army emblems. This heritage zone promotes institutional pride and helps cadets connect with the service’s history, culture, and identity.

Supporting the PMA Growth Plan and OBE Approach

The upgraded Army Laboratory is a key project under the PMA Growth Plan, which aims to expand the Academy’s capacity and elevate its learning and training environment to world-class standards. By providing a realistic, simulation-ready space for tactical planning and decision-making, the facility directly supports PMA’s Outcomes-Based Education approach, where cadet performance is measured through demonstrated skills and decision-making in realistic scenarios.

Through this modernized Army Lab, PMA strengthens its ability to produce officers who are tactically proficient, analytically minded, and operationally ready to lead in today’s complex security environment as future members of the Philippine Army and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.