House OKs plenary deliberations on bill reviving ROTC

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives has approved for plenary deliberations a measure reviving mandatory Reserved Officer Training Corps (ROTC) for Grades 11 and 12 in public and private schools nationwide. 

The basic education committee headed by Cebu Rep. Ramon Durano VI gave the go-signal for House Bill 5113 authored by House Deputy Speaker Raneo Abu to be discussed in the 292-man chamber, which may be passed on third and final reading on Feb. 6. 

“We hope to pass the measure next week before we go on break,” the Batangas congressman said, referring to the start of the campaign season for the May 13 midterm elections. 

“The approval of the substitute bill was prioritized by the leadership of former president and now Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, as the mandatory ROTC bill was classified as a priority bill of President Duterte,” Abu said. 

Abu said HB 5113’s objective is to revive and “resuscitate” the ROTC. He said this will help instill patriotism among the youth as it “affirms the values that we have always been taught as children: discipline, camaraderie, respect for others, especially those who’ve come before us, and a deep sense of nationalism and love for country.”

“I believe that it awakens the spirit among the youth to serve and protect our peace and democracy, whether it be through internal or external forces,” he said, as he welcomed the support of the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

“As a large part of our children’s time is spent in school and this is where they spend most of their formative years, it is gratifying to know that we have the support of the DepEd and the AFP in the reinstitutionalization of the ROTC,” Abu said.

ROTC used to be compulsory for college students, particularly in the first and second years. But due to the new K-12 curriculum, this can now be taken in its new school equivalent – Grades 11 and 12. 

The measure aims to amend Republic Act 7077, or the Citizen Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Act, to make ROTC mandatory.

The proposed law will introduce basic military training for students in order to motivate, train, organize and utilize for national defense preparedness or civil-military operations.        

“If implemented efficiently, it would have the potential to produce an entire generation of young Filipinos who will be proud of their Filipino heritage and are ready to give the entirety of their being to serve their countrymen,” Abu said. 

The rationale of this is for Filipino citizens to defend the state at all cost, and in a collective effort to make the Philippines a real Southeast Asian superpower in the near future, he added.

Citing Article III, Section 4 of the 1987 Constitution, Abu said the government may call upon the people to defend the state and all citizens may be required based on conditions provided by law to render personal, military or civil service.

“The state recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual and social wellbeing. It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs,” Abu said.