Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO., 4262

Introduced by the Honorable Deogracias Victor ‘DV’ B. Savellano

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The 1987 Constitution, as the highest law of the land, expects from its citizens,
as well as inhabitants, utmost reverence in the observance of its provisions. One
particular provision crafted in our Constitution is regarded as the “be all and end all.” Its
observance is of paramount necessity that without which, there can be no Constitution
to stand on.

Provision in point is Article 2 section 4 of Bill of Rights which provides that “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 law, to render personal
military or civil service.” It can reasonably infer from such provision that there might be a
time where the cooperation of all the people may be needed to accomplish a particular
military service or basic public services. The aforementioned provision will be rendered
nugatory if there’s not even a basic survival skill set ingrained in our youth.

Through Republic Act 9163, the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) has
since been offered as an optional program under the National Service Training Program
(NSTP). The institution of the same for senior high schools students is a great way to
shore up our military's reserve corps while instilling the fundamental ideals of patriotism
and public service in the youth.

Other components of NSTP include the Civic Welfare Training Service, which
requires students to participate in community service programs, and the Literary
Training Service, which allows students to teach basic skills in public schools.

The most pressing interest that ROTC develops in a student, aside from
adventure, is volunteerism. They are taught precisely how to sacrifice their lives for the
greater good or the general welfare. Just the same ROTC develops a burning desire to
serve the people.

Likewise, Citizenship Advancement Training or CAT as per Department of
Education Order No. 35 dated 2003 aims to enhance a student's social responsibility
and commitment to the development of their communities and helps to develop their


ability to uphold law and order as they assume an active participation in community
activities, and in assisting the members of the community especially, in times of
emergency.

CAT emphasize citizenship training and the encouragement of youth to
contribute in the improvement of the general welfare and quality of life of the
community, instilling patriotism, morals, virtues, respect for the rights of civilians and
adherence to the constitution.

In addition, the program is designed to develop personal qualities and attributes
essential to successful leadership. It is intended to install the students’ appreciation and
deep feeling for the spirit and the true meaning of the motto — Honor, Loyalty, and
Integrity.

Aside from the fact that ROTC and CAT instills patriotism, love of country, moral
and spiritual values, respect for human rights and adherence to Constitution, the same
have 3 major personal development to offer, to wit:

* Military Orientation - deals with the introduction and exposure of the learner to
basic knowledge, unfamiliar situations and experiences as well as activities
related to military.

* Community Service - refers to any activity that helps achieve the general
welfare and the betterment of life of the members of the community.

* Public Safety and Law Enforcement Service - encompasses all programs and
activities which are contributory to the maintenance of peace and order,
enhancement of public safety and encouragement in the observance of and
compliance to laws.

Considering that the country is affected by climate change, to reinstate and make
mandatory ROTC and CAT as a core academic subject in respective educational
institutions, is of overbearing consideration. Needless to stress, our country being an
archipelagic state, it will be critically affected by the slightest effects of climate change.
Able bodied people who are volunteers, and are willing to endure and do things for the
country without compensation are priceless in times of calamities, disasters and
emergencies.

Of equal consideration is the fact that there has also been a call to boost the
Philippines’ reserve forces in the face of a growing China, which has become more
assertive in its claims in the West Philippine Sea.

Lastly, the numerous health and psychological benefits as aforementioned, and
avenues it provides where the youth can focus on and dedicate their time and effort,
aforesaid programs, more than anything else, act as an effective deterrent against vices
that if left uncontrolled, will result to the destruction of their precious future. Without


mandatory integrated approaches designed to direct our youth to the right path, such as

this proposed bill, our youth will be at the mercy of unscrupulous elements bent on
destroying their unrealized potentials.

in view of the foregoing, the passage of house bill is earn

Hon. Deogracia:

r ‘DV’ B. Savellano
Represental

1 District, locos Sur


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

House BILL No. 4262

Introduced by Honorable Deogracias Victor ‘DV’ B. Savellano

AN ACT MANDATING EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN THE INTEGRATION OF
ROTC AND CAT PROGRAMS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE CURRICULUMS TO BRING
ABOUT THE REALIZATION OF FUNDAMENTAL IDEALS OF PATRIOTISM AND
PUBLIC SERVICE IN OUR YOUTH

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 “YOUTH INITIATIVE” of
2019."

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy - The State recognizes the right of the Government
to 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.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms — As used in this Act:

a.) “Government Agency” shall include the executive, legislative and judicial
branches, as well as, the constitutional bodies of the Republic of the
Philippines, including but not limited to, the national government and all its
agencies, departments, bureaus, offices and instrumentalities, constitutional
commissions and constitutionally mandated bodies, local governments and all
their agencies, regulatory agencies, chartered institutions, government owned
and/or controlled corporations, wholly-owned or controlled subsidiaries,
government financial institutions, state universities and colleges.

b.) The “Reserve Officers’ Training Corps” (ROTC) is a group of college-based
officer training programs for training commissioned officers of the Philippines.

c.) “Citizenship Advancement Training’ (CAT) as per Department of
Education Order No. 35, s. dated 2003. This training in accordance with the
law and is required of all Fourth Year High School students as a program in
both Public and Private Secondary Schools in the Philippines.


SECTION 4. Implementation — There shall be established implementing rules and
regulations, taking into account the capacity and capability of Government agencies
sharing the same vision as ROTC and CAT, to effectuate the objectives expressed
herein, as well as, integration of the Scouting Program in the course study among
educational institutions.

SECTION 5. Supervision — There shall be established government agencies in charge
of enforcing pertinent laws, rules and regulations to accomplish the purposes stated
herein, which shall be under the supervision and control of the Department of
Education.

SECTION 6. Funding — The Department of Education shall include in the Department's
annual budget a fund dedicated to cover the expenses incurred by the ROTC and CAT
in training students and improving their respective programs, the funding of which shall
be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 7. Keeping of Records - The day to day operations of ROTC and CAT shall
be recorded, including the comprehensive reports concerning the status and progress of
the trainees and objectives of this Act.

SECTION 8. Exemption from Compliance — Educational institutions offering similar
programs that are not inconsistent to this Act, embodying the principles and mission of
the ROTC and CAT are exempted from this Act.

SECTION 9. Separability Clause - If any section or part of this Act is held
unconstitutional, no other section or provision shall be affected.

SECTION 10. Repealing Clause — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations, issuances or any part thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act,
are deemed repealed.

SECTION 11. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,