MANILA – The House of Representatives approved on the third and final reading a measure which made reserved officers training corps (ROTC) mandatory for senior high school students.
In a 167-4-0 voting on Monday, congressmen approved House Bill 8961, which mandates the institutionalization, development, training, organization and administration of basic ROTC for Grades 11 and 12 in both private and public schools.
The approved measure requires students to undergo basic ROTC program as a prerequisite for graduation.
Exempted from undergoing the program are students who are physically or psychologically unfit as certified by the Armed Forces of the Philippines surgeon general or his medical officer, those who have undergone or are undergoing similar military training, students who were chosen to be part of the school’s varsity, and those exempted for valid reasons by the Department of National Defense (DND).
“The ROTC aims to inculcate the spirit of nationalism, nation-building, and national preparedness among the Filipino youth,” the measure said.
“It also aims to instill patriotism, love of country, moral and spiritual virtues, respect for human rights, and adherence to the Constitution,” it added.
The bill ordered the secretary of National Defense, in consultation with the Department of Education and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, to prescribe the organization and operational manual of ROTC units.
However, public and private universities, colleges and similar higher learning institutions will not be mandated to offer and provide a training school for advanced ROTC program.
DND secretary Delfin Lorenzana welcomed the House’s approval of the measure urging the Senate to approve its version of the bill.
“I am greatly delighted by the passage of the ROTC bill in the House. Hopefully, the Senate will also pass it during this Congress so we can start implementing it this coming school year,” said Lorenzana. /PN
