Delon Porcalla | September 19, 2022
The proposed measure intends to make compulsory the institutionalization of the basic the Reserve Officers Training Corps course in Grades 11 and 12 in all educational institutions in the country, both in public and private schools.
The original proposal of Vice President Sara Duterte to make the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) mandatory again for students in senior high school has been filed by a senior administration lawmaker at the House of Representatives.
House Bill No. 4500, or the “ROTC Act of 2022,” was authored by Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. of Negros Oriental, for the purpose of easier deployment in the event the law enforcers or the military needs augmentation force in times of disaster or war.
The proposed measure intends to make compulsory the institutionalization of the basic ROTC course in Grades 11 and 12 in all educational institutions in the country, both in public and private schools.
ROTC was abolished years ago due to several controversial issues hounding its leadership.
“The state must once again make mandatory the enrollment of all students in Grades 11 and 12 in ROTC for our country to have a sufficient reserve officers to call to render military service when warranted by national circumstance, whether as in response to any national security threat or national emergency,” he said.
Teves said his proposed bill also aims to enhance the capacity of the government to produce the needed manpower and to extend its human resources in times of war, calamities, disasters and national or local emergencies.
HB 4500 would form part of all baccalaureate degree courses and two-year technical or vocational courses as a requisite for graduation.
“It is the policy of the state to call upon its citizens to defend the nation and in fulfillment thereof, all citizens may be required to render personal, military or civil service,” Teves explained.
The Department of National Defense would be tasked to prescribe a training program for ROTC. Universities, colleges and similar learning institutions would coordinate with the DND for the conduct of military training in their respective schools.
Graduates from the basic ROTC training course and advance ROTC program may, subject to existing laws, policy or regulation, be eligible for lateral entry and enlistment in the Armed Forces, Philippine National Police, Coast Guard, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and the Bureau of Fire Protection.
In Teves’ proposal, an independent ROTC Grievance and Ethics Board will be established to oversee and receive any complaint from the students.
The board would be composed of a representative from the DND, one from the Department of Education, a representative from the school and a representative from the Parents and Teachers Association, or any similar organization.
Source: https://www.onenews.ph/articles/house-bill-filed-reinstating-rotc-in-senior-high