Passage of ROTC bill pushed in Senate
SEN. Sherwin Gatchalian on Monday sought the passage of a proposed bill calling for the mandatory two-year Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program in senior high school.
The senator, chairperson of the Senate subcommittee on ROTC, sponsored the passage of Senate Bill (SB) 2232, which seeks to institutionalize the ROTC program in Grades 11 and 12 in both public and prvate schools.
“Dear colleagues, our country stands to gain so much from optimizing the capabilites of the youth to discipline and love of county as we have them develop these capabilities so will they help ensure that the country remains well-equipped for the challenges that lie ahead,” Gatchalian said.
He said that in coming up with this measure, the committee ensured the protection and well-being of students. “This is why we have embedded within the bill a number of foolproof safeguards to protect our students against abuse and corruption.”
“The establishments of grievance committees both at the cluster units and national levels ensure that there is reportortial, investigative and disciplinary mechanism available to address wrongdoings perpertuated under or ROTC program,” Gatchalian said.
“Likewise, this bill requires that our ROTC program be run hand in hand with legal safeguards against hazing, abuse, exploitation, discrimination, bribery and corruption in recognition that these problems have tainted the program in the past,” he added.
Senators Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, Richard Gordon, and Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao co-sponsored the approval of SB 2232.
“The proposed legislation aims to develop patriotism and nationalism among the youth of today. The restoration of the ROTC program will help push the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ reserve force as well as the capacity of the government to respond during the times of national emergencies, calamities and disasters,” Ejercito said.
“It is but timely that this legislation is pushed now in this chamber. Now more than ever we need the renewal of our love and oyalty to our beloved country. I appeal to our colleagues for the swift passage of this bill,” Ejercito said.
Pacquiao said, “This [is] one of my priority bills because today more than ever we need to strengthen our commitment to put country above self.”
“The ROTC is consistent with the constitutional mandate that the government may call upon the people to defend the state. I am grateful that finally, Sen. WIn Gatchalian with the help of our stakeholders have acted on this measure,” Pacquiao said.
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