Republic of the Philippines 07 AUG 2013
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES i
Quezon City \ Bi:

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2338

House Bill No.

Introduced by Honorable Sherwin Gatchalian

Explanatory Note

As in most countries like Taiwan, South Korea, Canada, United
Kingdom and Russia, the Reserved Officers Training Corps (ROTC) is
mandatory upon its male citizens. It behooves upon these nations to tap
their youth to be trained and developed in military training and exercises
for civic and defense preparedness.

On June 25, the Association of Generals and Flag Officers, Inc.
(AGFO) has issued a Board Resolution calling for the revival of the ROTC.
‘They resolved “that the present National Service Training Program (NSTP)
that became the alternative program for the ROTC, are deemed insufficient
to inculcate the values of discipline and patriotism required and do not
address the military training ideally required of every citizen”.

This representation believes that it is now the opportune time to
re-institutionalize the basic military and officer training for our tertiary
students. By this legislation, we provide the appropriate training to
ensure their readiness to respond to the call to service.

There is a lot to gain in optimizing the potentials of our youth to
serve their country. We help them develop their national spirit, promote
self-confidence and camaraderie, and, without having to spend for
membership in a gym, make them physically strong and alert.

In its Declaration of Principles and State Policies, our Constitution
has espoused that the government may call upon the people to defend the
State and, in the fulfillment thereof, all citizens may be required, under
sonditions required by law, to render personal military or civil service.
Inder Commonwealth Act No. 1, the avowed policy was that the


preservation of the State is the obligation of every citizen. And in
Republic Act No. 7077, everyone is called upon to maximize the
opportunity in safeguarding the security of our State. Laws are replete
with policies on service to countrymen, and these callings must now be
instilled in our consciousness to be active in our civic duty, to prepare
ourselves in case of a projected or actual need.

It is worthy of note that prior to its being an optional requirement
of the NSTP, the ROTC constituted roughly about 75% of the Armed
Forces of the Philippines (AFP) officer corps, and has since been the
breeding ground for prominent graduates who became the country’s AFP
Chiefs-of-Staff. The ROTC program will bolster confidence in our military
preparedness and capability while at the same time provides our country
with the support of our student-cadet reservists and potential
commissioned officers.

With this legislation, we call upon the Department of National
Defense (DND) with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and
the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to
craft a curriculum that will be most effective in implementing the revival
of a mandatory tertiary ROTC with stringent measures to protect our
students from abuse and harsh or excessive exercises. At the same time,
secure that all concerns by various stakeholders in its administration are
addressed in order to allay fears that has plagued the old system.

Representative} 1*t District, Valenzuela City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No, __2338

Introduced by Honorable Sherwin T. Gatchalian

AN ACT TO RE-INSTITUTIONALIZE THE MANDATORY MILITARY
AND CIVIC RESERVE OFFICERS’ TRAINING CORPS (ROTC) FOR
STUDENTS IN ALL COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES AND TECHNICAL OR
VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS

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

Section 1. Statement of Policy. — a). It is the policy of the State to
serve and protect the people. The government may call upon the people
to defend the State and, in fulfillment thereof, all citizens may be
required, under conditions provided by law, to render personal, military
or civil service; b) The State recognizes the role of the youth in nation-
building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual,
intellectual and social well-being. It shall inculcate in the youth
patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their involvement in public
and civic affairs.

Section 2. Coverage. - The conduct of military training under the
ROTC shall apply to all male students enrolled in colleges, universities
and technical or vocational schools. Female students shall undergo civic
training under the ROTC on basic rescue operations and the delivery of
health services. Students shall be required to complete the ROTC for an
academic period of two (2) years.

Section 3. Establishment of the ROTC. - There is hereby
established a mandatory military and civic training for all college
students. The ROTC shall form part of the curriculum of all college
degree courses as well as technical or vocational courses, and shall be a
pre-requisite for graduation.


The Department of National Defense (DND) with the Commission
on Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical and Skills Development
Authority (TESDA) and other concerned government agencies shall
formulate the ROTC course of instruction and adopt the rules and
regulations to effectively carry out the objectives of this Act, The school
authorities shall, with the DND, CHED and TESDA provide close
coordination and administrative supervision to ensure the fitness and
well-being of the students to undertake the training.

Section 4. Funding. - The funds for the establishment,
maintenance and operation of the ROTC shall be provided for in the
general appropriations act of the Department of National Defense.

Section 5. Persons Disqualified or Exempted from this Act:

1, Students who are physically or psychologically unfit, as certified
by the DND medical officer and medical personnel of the
academic institution where the concerned student is enrolled;

2. Students who have undergone or are undergoing similar military
training;

3. Students who are active members of the AFP and the PNP;

4. Those who may be exempted from training for valid reasons
which may be authorized jointly by the DND and the academic
institution where the concerned student is enrolled.

Section 6. Transitory Provision. - This Act shall apply in the year
following its approval. Any student enrolled and undertaking any
component of the National Service Training Program (NSTP) shall be
allowed to continue and complete the program.

Section 7. Repealing Clause. — All other laws, executive orders,
presidential decrees, rules and regulations inconsistent with any
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified
accordingly.

Section 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
following its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,