The Senate is set to begin plenary debates on the mandatory Reserve Officers Training Corps Training (ROTC) bill today, July 29.
“We will be tackling a very important legislative measure that would probably change the landscape of Philippine society,” said Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino, one of the principal authors of Senate Bill No. (SBN) 2034.
“Hindi na nila mapipigilan, isasalang namin sa Senado yung ROTC Bill,” he added.
The proposed law requires students in higher education institutions (HEIs) and technical-vocational institutions (TVIs) to undergo a two-year military service training.
Tolentino called the youth the nation’s “untapped human resources” who are trained and prepared to assist communities, particularly during times of disaster.
“Kung makikita n’yo po nitong Typhoon Carina, nangailangan po tayo ng tulong sa iba’t ibang rehiyon. Subalit nandoon lang po yung untapped human resources natin sa mga lalawigan na sinalanta. Nandun lang po sila, ready to be tapped. At kung meron na po siguro tayong ROTC program, ay automatic na po yan. Signal number two pa lang, naka-formation na po yung ating mga kadete at handang tumulong,” the senator said.
Meanwhile, Senator Robin Padilla reiterated his full support for the passage into law of mandatory ROTC bill.
The measure is needed to prepare the youth not only for war but also to help in times of calamity, said Padilla, a reserve Lt. Col. in the Philippine Army.
“We are known for being loving and courageous. We have nothing to prove… But we have one problem, and it is that we are not united. We can learn from ROTC that we are under one flag,” he added.IMT
