NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
)
First Regular Session
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
HOUSE BILL NO. ____
Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE VIRGILIO S. LACSON
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In any functioning society, the prime duty of the government is to serve and protect its
citizens. In fact, it is one of the ultimate purposes of the creation of a Government. The duty to
protect its people emanates from the concept of self-preservation, such that the State can only
exist if its territory and people are free from harm and interference from any forces.
In turn, it shall be the responsibility of all citizens to defend the security of the State and
in fulfillment thereof, the government may require each citizen to render personal, military or
civil service. In pursuit of these goals, the youth, the most valuable resource of the nation, shall
be motivated, trained, organized and mobilized in military training, literacy, civic welfare and
other similar endeavors in the service of the nation.
This bill aims to re-institutionalize the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) among all
College Students. The completion of the 2-semester ROTC program shall be necessary as a
requirement for graduation. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Technical
Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), in consultation with the Department of
National Defense (DND) and Department of Transportation (DOTr), shall be the agencies in
charge of the design and implementation of the program components. This Act likewise provides
that students may be assigned in Philippine ports, i.e. airports, sea ports as part of their course
requirement.
At a time when there is a constant external and internal threat to the peace and order and
safety of the nation, it is high time that the ROTC must be invigorated so that under compelling
circumstances, reserve officers may assist the AFP in bringing about  peace and order throughout
the archipelago.
Hence, the passage of the bill is earnestly sought.
VIRGILIO S. LACSON
Manila Teachers Party-list
September 28, 2022
1:10 pm
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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
)
First Regular Session
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
HOUSE BILL NO. ____
Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE VIRGILIO S. LACSON
AN ACT
REINSTITUTING
ROTC
AS
A
MANDATORY COURSE FOR ALL COLLEGE
STUDENTS, REVIVING THE PERTINENT PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO.
7077, AND COMMONWEALTH ACT NO. 1, AND AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO.
9163 FOR OTHER PURPOSE
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in  Congress
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Statement of Policy. - Section 4 of Article II of the  Constitution provides
that “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 thereof, all citizens may be
required under conditions  provided by law, to render personal, military or civil service.”  
To this end, the State shall ensure that its citizenry is prepared to take on such
responsibility in the event that the service is called upon due to necessity.
SEC. 2. Re-institution of ROTC as a Mandatory Course for all College Students. - The
Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) is now made mandatory for all college students taking
up undergraduate collegiate courses in accordance with the pertinent provisions of Republic Act
No. 7077 and  Commonwealth Act No. 1, which are hereby revived.  
SEC. 3. Repeal of the Pertinent Provisions of R.A. No. 9163. - The  provisions of Republic
Act No. 9163 inconsistent with the provisions of this Act,  Republic Act No. 7077 and of
Commonwealth Act No. 1 are hereby repealed.  
SEC. 4. Program Components. – In the re-institution of the course, the Commission on
Higher Education (CHED) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
(TESDA), in consultation with the Department of National Defense (DND) and Department of
Transportation (DOTr), sha design and implement such other program components as may be
necessary in consonance with the provisions of this Act. Upon recommendation of DND and
DOTr, the assignment of students to Philippine ports, i.e. airports, sea ports, shall be considered
as compliance with the course requirement.
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SEC. 5. Coverage - Students, male and female, of any baccalaureate degree course or at
least two (2)-year technical vocational courses in public and private educational institutions shall
be required to complete 2-semester program of ROTC as requisite for graduation. Graduates of
the ROTC shall form part of the Citizens' Armed Force, pursuant to Republic Act No. 7077.
SEC. 6. Implementing Rules. - The DND, DOTr, CHED and TESDA shall have the joint
responsibility for the adoption of the implementing rules of this Act within sixty (60) days from
the approval of this Act.
SEC.7. Separability Clause - If any section or provision of this Act shall be declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions not affected thereby shall remain in
full force and effect.
SEC. 8. Amendatory Clause - Section 35 of Commonwealth Act No. 1, Executive Order
No.207 of 1939, Sections 2 and 3 of Presidential Decree No. 1706, and Sections 38 and 39 or
Republic Act No. 7077, as well as all laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations and other
issuances inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby deemed amended and modified
accordingly.
SEC. 9.  Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
Official Gazette, but the implementation of this Act shall commence in the school year of
2024-2025.
Approved,