The National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP) has welcomed the Master in National Security Administration (MNSA) Regular Class 59 in a ceremony on 6 October 2023 held at the College.

During the ceremony, Dr Alan A Lachica, the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College, officially presented the members of MNSA RC 59 to the NDCP President, LtGen Ferdinand M Cartujano PAF (Ret).

In his inspirational speech, LtGen Ferdinand M Cartujano PAF (Ret), President of the NDCP, reminded the students that “This year may be one of the most challenging years for you in a while, but through small yet consistent efforts, day in and day out, will make you bound for success.”

The new batch of MNSA students is composed of 65 students: 30 from the Philippine Army; 10 from the Philippine Air Force; eight from the Philippine Navy; two from the Technical Administrative Services; and five from the foreign militaries, namely the Indian Army, Indonesian Armed Forces, Malaysian Army, Bangladesh Armed Forces, and the Nigerian Army. Nine are from the civilian government sector: the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Bangsamoro Transition Authority, Central Board of Assessment Appeals, Commission on Elections, Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center, Department of Agriculture, Department of National Defense, Government Service Insurance System, and the Philippine Coast Guard. Meanwhile, one student is from the private sector, particularly the Hillpoints Development Corporation.

The RC 59 of the MNSA program will run from October 2023 to September 2024.

The NDCP has a broad mission of preparing and developing national defense leaders, civilian government officials, and select private sector executives for more effective participation in national security policy formulation and implementation, high command and staff duty, and the conduct of strategic and international studies as a basis for national policies.