NINETHEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE
s.B.No. 2034
Senate
of U)tf i&»t acUu;’
23 mar 21 P5 24
RECEIVED BV:
(In substitution of Senate Bill Nos. 182, 236, 468, 1235, 1349, 1551, 
taking into consideration House Bill No. 6687)
1565,
Prepared by the Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education (upon 
recommendation of the Subcommittee on the "Revitalized Reserve Officers Training 
Corps Act'O jointly with the Committees on National Defense and Security, Peace, 
Unification and Reconciliation; and Finance with Senators Padilla, Ejercito Estrada, 
Ejercito, Dela Rosa, Gatchalian, and Tolentino as authors.
AN ACT
MANDATING THE INSTITUTIONALIZATION, DEVELOPMENT, TRAINING, 
ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF RESERVE OFFICERS' 
TRAINING CORPS (ROTC) PROGRAM IN HIGHER EDUCATIONAL 
INSTITUTIONS AND TECHNICAL VOCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Reserve Officers'
2 
Training Corps (ROTC) Act".
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to serve and protect
4 
the people and to inculcate in the youth patriotism, nationalism and respect for
5 
human rights; and to encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs.
6 
Thus, the government may call upon the people to defend the State and, in
7 
the fulfillment thereof, all citizens may be required, under conditions provided by
8 
law, to render personal military or civil service; shall recognize the vital role of the
9 
youth in nation-building; and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, 
10 spiritual, intellectual and social well-being.


1 
Towards this end, the State shall enhance the capacity of the nation to
2 
produce the needed workforce in times of war, calamities and disasters, and in
3 
support of the law enforcement strategy of the government against crimes and
4 
maintenance of peace and order by creating a pool of trained reservists.
5 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms
6 
shall be defined as follows:
7 
a) Armed Forces of the Phiiippines (AFP) Reservist refers to a graduate of
8 
the Basic ROTC Program or Advance ROTC Program as established
9 
under this Act and as defined under Republic Act No. 7077 otherwise
10 
known as the "Citizen Armed Forces or Armed Forces of the Philippines
11 
Reservist Act";
12 
b) Higher Education Institution (HEI) refers to a lawfully established
13 
learning Institution offering Commission on Higher Education (CHED)-
14 
recognized or permitted higher education programs including the
15 
University of the Philippines System and other universities and colleges
16 
with institutional autonomy; and
17 
c) Technicai-Vocationai Institution (TVI) refers to a Technical Education
18 
and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)-recognized or accredited
19 
learning institution that offers technical-vocational training.
20 
Sec. 4. Mandatory Basic ROTC in Higher Education Institutions and Technicai-
21 
Vocationai Institutions. -
22 
a) The mandatory Basic ROTC Program in HEIs and TVIs for all students
23 
enrolled in not less than two (2)-year undergraduate degree, diploma,
24 
or certificate programs in HEIs and TVIs is hereby institutionalized;
25 
b) The mandatory Basic ROTC shall be undertaken by all undergraduate
26 
students for four (4) semesters: Provided/ That, subject to the
27 
capabilities of the school and the AFP, in lieu of the four (4) semesters,
28 
a training-immersion program in the AFP training base may be
29 
designed, formulated and adopted by the Department of National
30 
Defense (DND), CHED, and TESDA, to complete the requirement of
31 
this Act;


1 
c) Any student who fails to undergo the mandatory Basic ROTC in
2 
accordance with this Act shall not be qualified for graduation;
3 
d) Any educational institution that fails to institute and implement the
4 
Basic ROTC pursuant to this Act shall be subject to disciplinary and
5 
administrative sanctions as the CHED or the TESDA may impose.
6 
Sec. 5. Basic ROTC Program Curriculum. - The DND, CHED and TESDA, in
7 
consultation with other relevant government agencies and private stakeholders
8 
including associations of schools, shall design and formulate the Program of
9 
Instruction (POI) on the Basic ROTC and be guided with the following purposes and
10 
objectives:
11 
a) To provide basic military and police training for students in order to
12 
motivate, train, organize, and utilize for national defense preparedness
13 
or civil military operations, and law enforcement;
14 
b) To enhance the students' consciousness in the ethics of service,
15 
patriotism and nationalism, respect for human rights, appreciation of
16 
the role of national heroes in the historical development of the country,
17 
strengthen ethical and spiritual values, and develop personal discipline
18 
and leadership;
19 
c) To reinforce in students the values of civic mindedness, volunteerism
20 
and genuine service to others in order to be active participants and
21 
volunteers for the development and improvement of ecology and
22 
environmental protection, human and civil rights awareness and law
23 
enforcement; and
24 
d) To provide the students with practical and applicable knowledge and
25 
skills that are necessary, essential and ideal for survival, and providing
26 
service in times of emergencies and disasters including disaster
27 
response operations, skills for search, rescue and relief operations, and
28 
early recovery activities.
29 
Sec. 6. Specialized Programs for Students under Special Circumstances. -
30 
There shall be no exemptions from the Basic ROTC Program. However, the DND,
31 
CHED and TESDA, shall prescribe a specialized program to address the special needs
32 
and circumstances of students under the following circumstances:


1 
a) Those who are classified and officially registered as persons with
2 
disabilities;
3 
b) Those whose reiigious beliefs prohibit the use of firearms in rendering
4 
service to the country; and
5 
c) Those who have been convicted by final judgment of crimes involving
6 
morai turpitude.
7 
The specialized program shali inciude modules as the Basic ROTC Program
8 
except for physical military training: Provided, That foreign citizens enrolled in
9 
baccalaureate degree courses or technical vocational courses where the Basic ROTC
10 
is required shall likewise undergo a specialized program that would deepen their
11 
understanding and appreciation of the Philippines, its people, society, culture and
12 
government, and harness their potentiai as bridges to improve their respective
13 
countries with the Philippines: Provided, Further, That foreign students who will
14 
complete the course shall not be included in the AFP Reserve Force.
15 
Sec. 7. Benefits for Undergoing Basic ROTC Program. - ROTC cadets are
16 
entitled to the following benefits:
17 
a) Subject to existing laws and rules on the use and design of military
18 
uniform and insignias and provisions of this Act, students undergoing
19 
Basic ROTC Program shali be provided with free one (1) set of uniform
20 
including combat boots; and
21 
b) Free hospitalization including medicines and necessary medical tests
22 
and treatments in any government hospital in case of accident or injury
23 
during the training.
24 
Sec. 8. Advance Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) Program. - The
25 
voluntary Advance ROTC is hereby re-institutionalized. The DND, in coordination
26 
with the CHED and, where appropriate, the TESDA, shali prescribe the POI for
27 
Advance ROTC.
28 
Students who wiil undergo the Advance ROTC Program must complete the
29 
Basic ROTC Program prior to admission into the Advance ROTC Program: Provided,
30 
That, acceptance for Advance ROTC shali be subject to the requirements of Section
31 
40 of R.A. No. 7077.


1 
Students may undergo the Advance ROTC Program for no more than two (2)
2 
academic years.
3 
Sec. 9. Incentives for Undergoing the Advance ROTC Program. - Advance
4 
ROTC cadets are entitled to the following incentives:
5 
a) For students not covered by the provisions of R.A. No. 10931,
6 
otherwise known as the "Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education
7 
Act", full tuition subsidy of their annual tuition for the period of their
8 
advance ROTC;
9 
b) Free hospitalization including medicines and necessary medical tests
10 
and treatments in any government hospital in case of accident or injury
11 
during their training;
12 
c) Subject to other requirements prescribed by rules and regulations of
13 
the DND and other concerned government agencies, graduates of the
14 
Advance ROTC shall be eligible, upon completion of the Advance ROTC
15 
and earning a baccalaureate degree, for commission as officers in the
16 
Reserve Force of the AFP;
17 
d) Priority in recruitment in uniformed services agencies; and
18 
e) Automatic grant of first level civil service eligibility for Advance ROTC
19 
graduates.
20 
Sec. 10. Composition of the Reserve Force. - All students who completed the
21 
Basic ROTC Program shall be enlisted as members of the Reserve Force with ranks
22 
and assignments pursuant to Section 45 of R.A. No. 7077, as amended. However,
23 
those who completed the Advance ROTC Program shall be conferred with ranks and
24 
assignments pursuant to Section 46 of R.A. No. 7077, as amended.
25 
Sec. 11. Organization, Operation and Maintenance of ROTC Units. - There
26 
shall be at least one ROTC unit in every HEI and TVI: Provided, That HEIs and TVIs
27 
may be clustered for the efficient implementation of the provisions of this Act taking
28 
into consideration the ideal number of students per ROTC unit. For this purpose, the
29 
DND, CHED and TESDA, shall jointly formulate the manner by which the educational
30 
Institutions shall be clustered in implementing the Basic ROTC and the Advance
31 
ROTC Program.


1 
The DND, CHED and TESDA shall prescribe the organization and operational
2 
manual of ROTC units in HEIs. They shall also designate an office solely dedicated to
3 
the supervision and administration of Basic and Advance ROTC programs.
4 
Sec. 12. School-Based Ready Reserve Units (SBRRUs). — School-Based Ready
5 
Reserve Units may be organized by the DND, through the AFP, in HEI campuses and
6 
TVIs offering baccalaureate degree programs. The DND, through the AFP, shall
7 
promulgate the rules and regulations for the establishment, management and
8 
operation of SBRRUs. HEIs shall provide office space, access to facilities and
9 
personnel to assist the DND and AFP in managing SBRRUs.
10 
Sec. 13. Training Instructors' Capacity Deveiopment and Enhancement
11 
Program. - There is hereby established a training program for training instructors,
12 
to ensure that they meet the highest physical and moral standards to teach and
13 
carry out the Basic ROTC Program. The Instructors' Program shall be jointly
14 
developed and administered by the DND in coordination with the CHED, TESDA, and
15 
in consultation with stakeholders concerned. A comprehensive training manual shall
16 
be developed for the conduct of these trainings, incorporating among other things,
17 
gender-appropriate awareness, familiarity with relevant domestic laws and
18 
international obligations necessary and appropriate to guarantee the integrity and
19 
the highest standard of morality for the implementers of the Basic ROTC Program.
20 
Personnel implementing the National Service Training Program (NSTP) under
21 
R.A. No. 9163 otherwise known as the "National Service Training Program Act of
22 
2001" shall have priority for employment as personnel to assist in the management
23 
of the Basic and Advance ROTC Programs in HEIs and TVIs. They may also be
24 
granted authority, subject to rules to be issued by the DND, CHED and TESDA, to be
25 
ROTC Program lecturers, instructors and implementers.
26 
Sec. 14. Guideiines to Safeguard Students of the Basic and Advance ROTC
27 
Programs. - In order to properly and effectively implement the Basic and Advance
28 
ROTC Programs, the following policies shall be adopted to prevent the occurrence of
29 
hazing, corruption and other forms of abuses:
30 
a) The Basic and Advance ROTC Programs prohibit hazing as defined
31 
under R.A. No. 8049, otherwise known as "An Act Regulating
32 
Hazing and Other Forms of Initiation Rites in Fraternities, Sororities,


1 
And Other Organizations and Providing Penalties Therefor" as
2 
amended by R.A. No. 11053, otherwise known as the "Anti-Hazing
3 
Act of 2018" and as such, adopt the penaities for any act
4 
committed under the provisions of the said iaw;
5 
b) In case of school officials or employees of public or government
6 
educational institutions, who shaii accept any gift from any student,
7 
or from any parent or guardian of the student, or who shaii commit
8 
other practices contemplated under R.A. No. 3019, otherwise
9 
known as the "Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act" and the
10 
Revised Penai Code on Bribery and Corruption, the maximum
11 
penaity shaii be imposed: Provided, That the same penaity shaii be
12 
imposed upon any private individuai who shaii conspire with pubiic
13 
school officials and employees in violating the above-cited laws;
14 
and
15 
c) The penalties provided under the Revised Penai Code on Bribery
16 
and Corruption shaii be imposed upon schooi officials or employees
17 
of HEIs and TVIs who shall accept directly or indirectly, any gift, in
18 
cash or in kind, from any student, or from any parent or guardian
19 
of the student in relation to or pertinent with the conduct of the
20 
Basic and Advance ROTC Programs.
21 
Sec. 15. Establishment of ROTC Grievance Board - There is hereby
22 
established an ROTC Grievance Board in every ROTC unit that shall receive
23 
compiaints or motu proprio conduct investigations on any compiaint or aiiegation of
24 
abuse, violence or corruption in any educational institution implementing this Act
25 
which shaii be composed of five (5) members:
26 
(1) School President or his/her representative where the ROTC unit is
27 
located, as Chairperson of the Board;
28 
(2) A representative from the CHED Regionai Office to be designated by
29 
the CHED Chairperson;
30 
(3) A representative from the TESDA Regional Office to be designated by
31 
the TESDA Director General;


1 
(4) Commandant from the AFP to be designated by the Secretary of the
2 
National Defense; and
3 
(5) A representative from the provincial or city local government unit
4 
where the ROTC unit is located.
5 
The Grievance Board shall function as an independent investigative body,
6 
which shall formulate the recommendation to the proper disciplinary authority that
7 
has jurisdiction over the respondent, depending on whether the said respondent
8 
belongs to the military for which purpose, the Articles of War shall be employed. In
9 
case of school officials or employees of HEIs and TVIs, the provisions of R.A. No.
10 
6713, otherwise known as the "Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public
11 
Officials and Employees" and other relevant laws on the matter shall be applied. This
12 
is without prejudice to administrative cases that may be filed pursuant to the Civil
13 
Service rules for public officers and employees Involved in the complaint.
14 
Sec. 16. Powers and Duties of the Grievance Board. - Every Grievance Board
15 
shall be proactive in its duty to:
16 
a) establish a system and prescribe a process that promotes and
17 
encourages the reporting of any incident of hazing, violence, abuse
18 
and corruption in every ROTC unit;
19 
b) motu proprio or upon a complaint filed by any person, investigate,
20 
any act of hazing, violence, abuse and corruption in the ROTC unit;
21 
c) issue an order to preclude those involved in the incident
22 
complained of or being investigated from exerting undue Influence
23 
over the complainant and impede the normal course of the
24 
investigation;
25 
d) recommend the appropriate action for any offense committed in the
26 
ROTC unit to the proper disciplinary authority which has jurisdiction
27 
over the respondent within fifteen (15) days upon receipt of the
28 
complaint or after initiation of the motu proprio investigation;
29 
e) monitor all complaints filed with the Board or with the concerned
30 
HEIs and TVIs and maintain an updated record of the status of
31 
each case;


1 
f) provide the parties of the complaint Its findings and
2 
recommendations within thirty (30) days upon receipt thereof;
3 
g) promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out its
4 
objectives, functions and disciplinary procedures; and
5 
h) perform such other functions as may be provided by law.
6 
Sec. 17. National Grievance and Monitoring Committee. - There is hereby
7 
established a National Grievance and Monitoring Committee (NGMC) composed of
8 
the Secretary of National Defense or his or her permanent authorized representative
9 
who will act as the Chairperson, the Chairperson of CHED or any permanent
10 
authorized representative, the Director General of TESDA or any permanent
11 
authorized representative, the Secretary of Justice or any permanent authorized
12 
representative, and the Secretary of Interior and Local Government or any
13 
permanent authorized representative.
14 
The NGMC shall ensure that the provisions and intent of this Act are properly
15 
implemented and adhered to, and that there shall be no abuse of any kind In both
16 
the conduct of training.
17 
In addition, the NGMC shall review the findings or recommendations of any of
18 
the Grievance Boards upon filing of the aggrieved party within fifteen (15) days after
19 
receipt of such findings or recommendations. It shall provide the parties with its
20 
decision within fifteen (15) days from the time of receipt of the petition.
21 
Sec. 18. Free Uniform Voucher. - In order to effectively implement the
22 
provision on free uniform and combat boots for students enrolled in Basic ROTC
23 
Program, the CHED and TESDA, in consultation with HEIs and TVIs, shall provide for
24 
a mechanism to implement a voucher system that will entitle students to purchase
25 
through accredited supplier one set of uniform and combat boots.
26 
The Department of Trade and Industry, in coordination with the DND and
27 
CHED, shall promulgate rules and regulations on the accreditation of uniform and
28 
combat boots suppliers.
29 
Sec. 19. School Fees. - Covered HEIs and TVIs may collect a reasonable
30 
training fee of not more than fifty percent (50%) of the tuition fee per academic unit
31 
or subject. Such funds shall be used only for the implementation of the Basic ROTC
32 
Program. The CHED, TESDA and DND shall determine the reasonable distribution of


1 
the fees among the HEI, TVI and DND to cover the cost of training and reiated
2 
expenses.
3 
Public HEIs and TVIs covered by R.A. No. 10931, otherwise known as the
4 
"Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act", shall not collect any fee for the
5 
Basic ROTC. The training costs shall be included in the annual appropriations of such
6 
HEIs or TVIs. In cases of students not eligible to avail of the benefits under R.A. No.
7 
10931, public colleges, universities and similar learning institutions may collect a
8 
training fee of not more than fifty percent (50%) of the tuition fee per academic
9 
unit.
10 
HEIs and TVIs not covered by R.A. No. 10931 may collect a training fee of not
11 
more than fifty percent (50%) of the tuition fee per academic unit. Such funds shall
12 
be used only for the implementation of the Basic ROTC Program and maintenance of
13 
the ROTC Units and SBRRUs, if any.
14 
Sec. 20. Pilot Implementation of the Mandatory Basic ROTC Program. - Upon
15 
approval of this act, the DND, in coordination with CHED and TESDA, shall undertake
16 
a two (2) year pilot program in select public HEIs with existing ROTC units as well as
17 
private HEIs who may want to participate in the said pilot implementation of the
18 
mandatory program. The DND, in coordination with CHED and TESDA, shall ensure
19 
that there shall be ROTC units in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao included in the pilot
20 
implementation.
21 
Sec. 21. Mandatory Review of the Implementation of this Act. - The DND, in
22 
coordination with CHED and TESDA, shall conduct a review of the implementation of
23 
this Act at the end of the two (2) year pilot program and every two (2) years
24 
thereafter. The DND shall submit a report to Congress on the result of the
25 
mandatory review.
26 
Sec. 22. Pena! Provisions. - Any act of abuse, corruption, hazing, torture, data
27 
privacy rights violation, or violation of human rights committed in direct or indirect
28 
relation to the implementation of this Act which are punished criminally or
29 
administratively by existing laws, rules or regulations, shall be prosecuted in
30 
accordance with such laws, rules or regulations. The maximum penalty imposable
31 
under existing laws shall be imposed.
10


1 
Sec. 23. Prosecution Not a Bar to Civil Action. - Criminal or administrative
2 
prosecution shall not be a bar to any civil action for damages or any appropriate
3 
relief a victim may file for any act of abuse, corruption, hazing, torture, data privacy
4 
rights violation, or violation of human rights committed in direct or indirect relation
5 
to the implementation of this Act.
6 
Sec. 24. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of
7 
this Act shall be charged against those authorized in the current appropriations of
8 
the DND, CHED and TESDA. Thereafter, the amount necessary for its continued
9 
implementation shall be included In the annual General Appropriations Act: Provided,
10 
That, funding for the uniform shall be included In the appropriations of CHED and
11 
TESDA.
12 
Sec. 25. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee. - There is hereby created
13 
a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee (JCOC) to oversee, monitor, and evaluate
14 
the Implementation of this Act. The JCOC shall be composed of five (5) members
15 
each from the Senate and the House of Representatives with the Chairpersons of the
16 
Committees on Higher Educations of both houses as Co-Chairpersons. The
17 
Chairpersons of the Committees on National Defense and Security shall likewise be
18 
designated as members of the JCOC. The President of the Senate and the Speaker
19 
of the House of Representatives shall designate the other three (3) members of the
20 
JCOC, one (1) of which shall be from the minority, from the Senate and the House,
21 
respectively.
22 
Sec. 26. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - Within ninety (90) days
23 
from the effectivity of this Act, the DND, CHED, and TESDA, in consultation with
24 
relevant agencies and stakeholders, shall issue the rules and regulations
25 
implementing its provisions. The IRR Issued pursuant to this section shall take effect
26 
thirty (30) days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
27 
Sec. 27. Enrollment under R.A. No. 9163. - Students who are currently
28 
enrolled and will be enrolled until the full implementation of this Act, based on the
29 
curriculum implemented by virtue of R.A. No. 9163, otherwise known as the NSTP
30 
Act of 2001, shall be allowed to finish the curriculum and be deemed to have
31 
satisfied the requirement for graduation after completion thereof.
11


1 
Sec. 28. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or
2 
unconstitutional, the other provisions not so declared shall remain in force and
3 
effect.
4 
Sec. 29. Repealing Clause. - R.A. No. 9163, otherwise known as the NSTP Act
5 
of 2001, is hereby repealed. Provisions of R.A. No. 7077, otherwise known as the
6 
Citizen Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Act, which are inconsistent with the
7 
provisions of this Act are hereby amended accordingly.
8 
All other laws, orders, rules regulations and other issuances, or parts thereof,
9 
which are inconsistent with the relevant provisions of this Act are likewise hereby
10 
repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
11 
Sec. 30. Effectivity Cause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
12 
its publication in the Official Gazette or In a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
m '
12