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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
1 Regular Session

House Bill No. 456

Introduced by Representative OMAR S. DUTERTE

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 4, Article I] of the 1987 Constitution provides:

“The prime duty of the Government is fo serve and protect the people. The Government may call upon the people
to defend the State and, in the fulfilment thereof, all citizens may be required, under conditions provided by lam
to render personal, military or civil service?”

‘As emphasized in the aforementioned Constitutional provision, the defense of the State is a
shared responsibility of both the government and the citizenry. Republic Act Na. 7077, also known
as the Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Adi institutionalized. mandatory military taining for
students enrolled in colleges, universities, and similar educational institutions through the
Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) as a requisite for earning a baccalaureate degree.
However, with the passage of Republic Act No. 9163, or the National Service Training Program
(NSTP) Act of 2001, ROTC became optional for male college students. Consequently, there has
been a notable decline in ROTC enrollment, as more students have chosen the alternative NSTP

‘components: the Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS) and the Literacy Training Service (LTS).

Statistics show that there are only 59,637 graduates from both ba

and advanced training of the
ROTC in 2015-2016, while it reached a low of 46,936 in 2017-2018.' These figures highlight the
growing concern of the AFP regarding the sustainability of reserve manpower and the
government's ability to respond effectively to national security threats and emergencies such as
the recent Marawi City siege and the continued harassment of Filipino fishermen in the West

Philippine Sea.

‘Philippine News Agency, (2019), "Why Mandatory ROTC is Needed Again.” 1

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Beyond establishing a pool of reservists to aid in national defense, this bill also aims to instill

s, and adherence to

nationalism, discipline, a sense of purpose, respect for laws and authori

rules and regulations among Grade 11 and 12 students through a military training environment.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

HON. O) S$. DUTERTE


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
1 Regular Session

House Bill No. 456

Introduced by Representative OMAR S. DUTERTE

AN ACT

MANDATING THE INSTITUTIONALIZATION, DEVELOPMENT, TRAINING,
ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF BASIC RESERVE OFFICERS
TRAINING CORPS (ROTC) IN GRADES 11 AND 12 IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC
ACT NO. 7077, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "CITIZEN ARMED FORCES OF
THE PHILIPPINES RESERVIST ACT", AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1, Short Title, This Act shall be known as the "Keserve Officers’ ‘Training Corps
(ROTC) Aa”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Constitutional Policy. The prime duty of the government is to
serve and protect the people. The government may call upon the people to defend the State and,
in the fulfillment thercof, all citizens may be required, under conditions provided by law, to
render personal military or civil service. In the same manner, the State recognizes the vital role
of the youth in nation-building, and shall promote civic consciousness among the youth and shall
develop their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual and social well-being, It shall inculcate in the
youth patriotism, nationalism, and encourage involvement in public and civil affairs.

Towards this end, the State shall enhance the capacity of the nation to produce the
needed manpower and to expand its human resources in times of war, calamities and disasters,
national or local emergences, and in support to the government's law enforcement strategy
against crimes, by creating a pool of trained reservists.

SEC. 3. Coverage. ‘The conduct of military training under the ROTC shall apply to all
students in Grades 11 and 12 in all senior high schools in public and private educational
institutions.

SEC. 4. Establishment of ROTC Program in All Public and Private Educational
Institutions.

a. There is hereby established a mandatory two (2)-year Basic ROTC program for
students enrolled in Grades 11 and 12 which shall form part of the basic curricula for
Senior High School Education in public and private educational institutions in
pursuance to the provisions of the National Defense Act and the 1987 Constitution,


with the objective of producing well-trained and prepared reservists for military and
civic service. The ROTC training is aimed to instill patriotism, love of country, moral
and spiritual virtues, respect for human rights and adherence to the Constitution. In
no way shall the ROTC be used for political aims, to teach and instill a particular
ideology and as a mechanism for hazing and abuse.

‘The ROTC shall include the following programs of instruction:

1. Enhancing the students consciousness in the ethnic of service, patriotism and
nationalism, respect for human rights, appreciation of the role of national heroes
in the historical development of the country, strengthen ethical and spiritual
values, develop personal discipline and leadership, and to encourage creative
thinking for scientific and technological development.

2, Basic military training for students in order to motivate, train, organize and
utilize for national defense preparedness or civil-military operations: Provided,
‘That no student below the age of cighteen (18) shall take 2 direct part in
hostilities.

3. Civic training for students in order to be active participants and volunteers for
the development and improvement of health, education, ecology and
environmental protection, disaster risk reduction and management, human and
civil rights awareness, and law enforcement.

‘Any student who fails to undergo the mandatory Basic ROTC in accordance with
this Act shall not be qualified for graduation. In addition thereto, the non-taking of
Basic ROTC by any student shall be a ground for Compulsory Military Training in
pursuance to Section 14 of Republic Act No. 7077. Any educational institution that
fails to institute and implement the ROTC Program in pursuance to this Act shall be
subject to disciplinary and administrative sanctions as the Department of Education
(DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and ‘Technical Education and
Skills Development Authority (TESDA) may impose.

Guided by the provision of Section 4 (b) hereof, the Department of National
Defense (DND), DepEd, and TESDA, in consultation with other relevant
government agencies and private stakeholders as the Secretary of National Defense
may determine, shall design and formulate the Program of Instructions (POI) on the
Basic ROTC Program in Grades 11 and 12, within ninety (90) days from the
approval of this Act and shall jointly issue the implementing rules and regulations for
the effective implementation of the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 5. Students Exempted from this Act. The following may be exempted from the
coverage of this Act:

a.

‘Those who are physically or psychologically unfit, as certified by the Armed Forces
of the Philippines (AFP) Surgeon General or his authorized medical officer, in
pursuance to the recommendation of the educational institutions where the
concerned student is enrolled

b. Those who have undergone or are undergoing similar military training;


¢. Those who were chosen by their school to serve as the school's varsity players in
sports competitions; and

4. Those who may be exempted from training for valid reasons as approved by the
DND, upon recommendation by any educational institution where the concerned
student is enrolled.

SEC. 6. Acceptance for Advance ROTC. Students who volunteer for Advance ROTC
Program in universities, college, vocational schools, and other tettiary institutions shall be
governed by Section 40 of Republic Act No. 7077, or the Citizen Armed Forces of the
Philippines Reservist Act. The provisions of Section 42 and 43 of Republic Act No. 7077 in
terms of training, uniform and supplies, and the scholarship incentive shall remain effective and
applicable for those accepted in the Advance ROTC Course.

SEC. 7. Organization, Operation and Maintenance of ROTC Units. The organization,
operation and_ maintenance for the establishment of ROTC shall be in accordance with Sections
41 and 42 of Republic Act No, 7077 shall remain effective and operative unless inconsistent
with this Act. The Secretary of National Defense, in consultation with the DepE
shall prescribe the organizational and operational manual of ROTC units in public and private
educational institutions for Grades 11 and 12: Provided, That such educational institutions shall
be required to provide an adequate office for the ROTC administrative staff assigned thereat.

‘The AFP shall create an office dedicated to the supervision and administration of the
ROTC Program within the Reserve Commands of the AFP in coordination with the DepEd
and TESDA.

SEC. 8. Incentives for Undergoing ROTC Program.

a, Subject to other requirements prescribed by rules and regulations, graduates if Basic
ROTC shall be eligible for commissionship, lateral entry and enlistment in the AFP,
Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Burau of Jail
Management and Penology (BJMP), and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) unless a
waiver is issued by the Department Secretaries of the aforementioned military and
civilian armed forces.

b. Students undergoing Basic ROTC and those accepted in the ROTC Advanced
Course shall be provided with free hospitalization in any government hospital in case
of accident or injury during the training. Mandatory insurance for students
undergoing ROTC shall be provided by the school where the students are enrolled.

. Students undergoing Basic and Advance ROTC shall be given access and privileges
with any AFP Commissary and PX Stores nationwide. The Chief of Staff of the AFP
shall issues the necessary for the implementation of this privilege.

SEC. 9. The ROTC Grievance Board, ‘There shall be created a Reserve Officers’
Training Corps (ROTC) Grievance Board composed of one (1) representative from the
Department of National Defense and two (2) representatives from the Department of
Education with the more senior representative from the Department of Education as
chairperson. ‘These representatives shall be appointed for their known integrity, probity, and
independence.


‘The ROTC Grievance Board shall have the following powers:

a, Investigate and resolve any and all complaints, in any form, involving corruption and
abuse, in any form, in the ROTC Program;

b. Ensure that the ROTC Program be free from politicization and_ from being used to
instill a particular ideology; and

c. Recommend policies and reforms to ensure adherence of the ROTC Program to the
Constitution and all laws penalizing abuse in any form

SEC. 10. Liability of the Educational Institution, The instructor or faculty-in-charge of
the ROTC shall be responsible for monitoring the activities involved in the ROTC. ‘The
instruction or the faculty-in-charge must be a duly recognized active member, in good standing,
of the faculty at the school in which the ROTC course is being implemented.

‘The school or the university and its administrators shall exercise special parental
authority and supervise the implementation of the ROTC.

In case of violation of any of the provisions of this Act and other related laws, the
instructor or faculty-in-charge and the school or university and its officials shall be criminally,
civilly, and administratively liable for any damage or injury caused to a student.

SEC. 11. Funding. The funding requirement to implement the establishment,
maintenance and operations of the ROTC Program shall be included in the budget of the
implementing agencies / department in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 12. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the other provisions not so declared shall remain in force and effect.

SEC. 13. Repealing Clause. Pertinent provisions of Republic Act No. 7077, or the
"Citizens Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Act,” and all other laws, decrees, executive
orders and rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

SEC. 14, Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation

Approved,