IN HIS recent State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Bongbong Marcos urged Congress to prioritize passing legislation mandating the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) for senior high school students in public and private tertiary schools, setting a good and clear objectives which is to motivate, train, organize, and mobilize students for national defense preparedness, including disaster preparedness and capacity-building for risk-related situations.
Others may argue that we do not need mandatory ROTC, because we are not currently facing an external threat to national defense and security.
However, let us remember that its objective is preparedness. Let us also remember that our country is among the top most vulnerable countries in the world to natural disasters and climate impacts, and it is always best to be prepared and being prepared makes all the difference.
Furthermore, I support mandatory ROTC because I see it as more than just military training; it also provides benefits that go far beyond the required activities. I see it as giving back to the community through clean-up drives, tree planting activities, bloodletting operations, and other similar activities, demonstrating the desire to make a positive and proactive change in the community.
If mandatory ROTC is implemented, imagine how many like-minded citizens will return selfless service to the community, sharing the spirit of helping and giving.
I believe that this is a positive development for Filipino youths because patriotism is instilled in us, and mandatory ROTC will only stimulate your exceptional brand of patriotism to serve a cause larger than yourself. – ERICA MANIAGO <erichmaniago7@gmail.com>
