SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS )
OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES |)
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

House Bill No. 5509

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE AMADO T. ESPIN'

AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7077 MANDATING THE
INSTITUTIONALIZATION, DEVELOPMENT, TRAINING, ORGNAIZATION AND
ADMINISTRATION OF BASIC RESERVE OFFICERS TRAINING CORPS (ROTC) IN
GRADES 11 AND 12 IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In its Declaration of Principles and State Policies, our Constitution provided that the government may call
upon the people to defend the State and in the fulfillment thereof, all citizens may be required under
conditions required by law to render military or civic service. The State shall also 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 emergencies, and in support to the Government's law enforcement strategy
against crimes, create a pool of trained reservists, In the same manner, the State recognizes the vital role
of the youth in nation-building and shall promote civic consciousness among them and shall develop their
physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual and social well-being. Thus, it is incumbent upon the nation to tap
their youth to be trained and developed in military training and exercises for civic and defense
preparedness.

Republic Act No. 7077 otherwise known as “Citizen Armed Force or Armed Forces of the Philippines
Reservist Act” provided for the mandatory taking of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). The
law requires the completion of the course as a requirement for all college students in acquiring their
baccalaureate degree. While R.A. 10533, otherwise known as “Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013”,
‘was enacted to formalize the K to 12 basic education program

This bill mandates the Basic Reserve Officers Training Corps program, in pursuance to the provisions and
objectives of the National Defense Act, as a requirement for graduation for students in Grades 11 and 12
(under R.A. 10533) enrolled in any public and private educational institutions. This proposed measure
shall re-institutionalizes the basic military and officer training for our Senior High School Level students
where appropriate training is ensured for their readiness to respond to call to service. Further, the ROTC
shall include the programs of instructions in order to inculcate love of country, leadership and character
development which includes enhancement of the students’ consciousness in the ethics of service,

1


patriotism and nationalism; and civic training 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.

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly requested.

re


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS )
OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES)
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

House Bill No__5509

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE AMADO T. ESPINO, JR.

AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7077 MANDATING THE
INSTITUTIONALIZATION, DEVELOPMENT, TRAINING, ORGNAIZATION AND
ADMINISTRATION OF BASIC RESERVE OFFICERS TRAINING CORPS (ROTC) IN
GRADES 11 AND 12 IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION. 1. 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 thereof, 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 youth and shall develop their physical,
moral, spiritual, intellectual and social well-being. It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism,
nationalism, and encourage their involvement in public and civie 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 emergencies, and in support to the Government's law enforcement strategy against crimes, by
creating a pool of trained reservists.

SEC. 2. Coverage. — The Basic Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) shall be mandatory in
Grades 11 and 12 (Senior High School Level under R.A. 10533) in any public and private
educational institutions as requisite for graduation.

‘SEC. 3. 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 the Senior
High School Education in any 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.

b. The ROTC shall include the following program of instructions in order to inculcate love
of country, leadership and character development

b.1. Enhancing the students consciousness in the ethics 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;


b.2. Basic military training for students in order to motivate, train, organize and
utilize them for national defense preparedness or civil-military operations;

b.3. Civie 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.

c. Guided by the provision of Section 3(b) hereof, the Department of National Defense
(DND), the Department of Education (DepEd), and Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority (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 Instruction (POI) on the ROTC program in Grades 11 and 23, and within sixty (60) days
from approval of this Act, shall jointly issue Implementing Rules and Regulations for the effective
implementation of any provisions of this Act.

SEC. 4. 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 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,

c. Those who may be exempted from training for valid reasons as approved by the
Department of National Defense, upon recommendation by any educational institution
where the concerned student is enrolled.

Sec. 5. Acceptance for Advance ROTC. ~ Students who volunteer for advance ROTC program in
universities, colleges, vocational schools and other tertiary institutions shall be governed by Section
40 of R.A. 7077 (“Citizen Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Act”). The provisions of
Sections 42 and 43 of R.A. 7077 in terms of training, uniforms and supplies, and the scholarship
incentive shall remain effective and applicable for those accepted in the Advance ROTC course. It
shall be mandatory for all public and private universities, college and similar learning institutions to
offer and provide a training school for the Advance ROTC Program which shall have a duration in
accordance with the curriculum prescribed by DND and CHED.

The Secretary and National Defense, in coordination with the Commission on Higher
Education (CHED) shall prescribe the curriculum for advance ROTC and the program of instruction
in pursuance to the applicable provisions R.A. 7077.

Graduates of Advance ROTC shall be eligible for commissionship or enlistment in the AFP
or shall be given priority for lateral entry in other armed and law enforcement services of the
government.

SEC 6. 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
R.A. 7077 which shall remain effective and operative unless consistent with this Act. The Secretary
of National Defense, in consultation with DepEd and TESDA, shall prescribe the organization and
operational manual of ROTC units in all public and private educational institutions for Grades 11 and
12. Provided further, that such educational institutions are required to provide an adequate office for
the ROTC administrative staff assigned thereat.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (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. 7. Incentives for Undergoing ROTC Program. —

a. Graduates of two (2) year Basic ROTC and have completed four (4) year baccalaureate
degree shall be considered as First Level Civil Service Eligibility. Whereas, graduates of
Advance ROTC and finished a four (4) year baccalaureate degree shall be considered as
Second Level Civil Service Eligibility in the Civil Service.

b. Subject to other requirements prescribed by rules and regulations, graduates of Basic
ROTC are eligible for commissionship/lateral entry and enlistment in the AFP, PNP,
Coast Guard, BIMP and BFP unless a waiver is issued by the Department Secretaries of
the aforementioned military and civilian armed service.

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

d. Student undergoing Basic and Advance ROTC are given access and privileges with any
AFP Commissary and PX Stores nationwide. The AFP Chief of Staff shall issue the
necessary regulations for the implementation of this privilege.

SEC. 8. Funding. ~The funds for the establishment, maintenance and operation of ROTC shall be
provided in the General Appropriations Act of the DND, DepEd, CHED and TESDA.

SEC. 9. Transitory Provisions. — In case of amendment, modification, repeal or declaration of
unconstitutionality of R.A. 10533 (“Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013”), the DND, CHED and
TESDA shall issue the necessary Implementing Rules and Regulations adjusting the coverage of this,
Act to all tertiary students enrolied in any public and private universities, colleges, vocational schools
and other educational institutions.

SEC. 10. Penalties. - Any student who fails to undergo the mandatory ROTC in accordance with
this Act shall not be qualified for graduation. In addition thereto, the non-taking of ROTC by any
student shall be ground for Compulsory Military Training in pursuance to Section 14 of R.A. 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 DepEd, CHED and
TESDA may impose.

SEC. 11. Repealing and Amendatory Clause. ~ All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations which are inconsistent or in conflict with any provision of this Act are hereby repealed or
amended accordingly.

SEC. 9. Effectivity Clause. ~ This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved,