REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

House Bill No. _ 2537

Introduced by Rep. AURELIO D. GONZALES, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article Il Section 4 of the 1987 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.

Republic Act No. 7077 otherwise known as the “Citizen Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist
Act was enacted to provide the base for the expansion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the
event of war, invasion or rebellion. The law also mandates the Reserve Force to assist in relief and
rescue during disaster or calamities, socioeconomic development, and in the operation and
maintenance of essential government or private utilities in the furtherance of overall mission.

Considering the heightening tension over the West Philippine Sea, the escalating threat caused by
insurgencies and increasing frequencies of calamities, there is an urgent need to strengthen and our
military capabilities by increasing the manpower of the Armed Forces of the Philippines through the
Reservist Force.

This bill seeks to mandate Grade 11 and 12 students to undergo ROTC in an effort to inculcate to

them the fundamentals of patriotism and nationalism, and to encourage them to engage in public
and civic affairs.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this measure is earnestly sou:



REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

House Bill No. _ 2537

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE AURELIO D. GONZALES, JR.

AN ACT REINSTATING THE MANDATORY RESERVE OFFICERS’ TRAINING CORPS
(ROTC) FOR ALL STUDENTS IN ALL PRIVATE AND PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES,
COLLEGES, AND OTHER SIMILAR LEARNING INSTITUTIONS.

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

SECTION 1. Title of Act. - This Act shall be known as the “Mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training
Corps (ROTC) Act of 2019.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — Itis the policy of the State to serve and protect the people.
The government may call upon the people to defend the State in fulfillment thereof. All citizens
may be required, under conditions provided by law, to render personal, military or civil service;

‘The State recognizes the vital 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 3. Coverage. ~ The Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) shall apply to all students
in Grade 11 and 12 in all senior high schools in public and private institutions

SECTION 4. Reserve Officers’ Training Corps.
(a) There is hereby established a mandatory two (2)-year Basic ROTC Program for
students enrolled in Grade 11 and Grade 12 which shall form part of the basic
curricula for the Senior High School Education in 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. In no way shall the ROTC be used for political
aims, to teach and instill a particular ideology and as a mechanism for hazing and
abuse


(b) The ROTC shall include the following program of instruction:

(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 advancement.

(2) Basic military training for students in order to motivate, train, organize and
utilize for national defense preparedness or civil-military operations. Provided,
That no student below eighteen (18) shall take a direct part in hostilities.

(3) Civic training for students in order to be active participants and volunteers for the
development and improvement of health, education, ecology and environmental
protection, disaster reduction and management , human and civil rights awareness
and law enforcement.

(c) Any student who fails to undergo the mandatory Basic ROTC in accordance with
this Act shall not be qualified for graduation. In addition thereto, the non-taking
of Basic ROTC by any student shall be a ground for Compulsory Military
Training in pursuance to Section 14 of Republic Act No. 7077. Any educational
institute that fails to institute and implement the ROTC Program in pursuance to
this Act shall be subject to disciplinary and administrative sanctions as the
Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED),
and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) may
impose.

(d) Guided by the provision of Section 4(b) hereof, the Department of National
Defense (DND), DepEd, 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
Basic ROTC Program in Grades 11 and 12 , within sixty (60) days from the
approval of this act and shall jointly issue the implementing rules and regulations
for the effective implementations of the provisions of this Act.

SECTION 5. Persons Disqualified or Exempted from this Act —

1. Students who are physically or psychologically unfit, as certified by the medical
personnel of the Department of National Defense and medical personnel of the academic
intuition where the student is enrolled

2. Students of universities, colleges, and other similar learning institutions who have

undergone or are still undergoing ROTC or similar military training as recognized by the

Department of National Defense;

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

4. Students 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;

5. Those convicted of final judgment of criminal offenses involving moral turpitude.

SECTION 6. 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 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations — The Department of National Defense, together
with Commission on Higher Education and the Technical Skills Development Authority, shall issue
four (4) months from the effectivity of this Act, the implementing rules and regulation to carry out
the objectives of this Act.

SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. - All Acts and decrees, executive orders, implementing rules and
regulations or parts thereof, inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed,
amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 20. Separability Clause. - If any provisions of this Act are declared invalid, the
remainder or any provisions thereof not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.

SECTION 21. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect upon its publication in two national
newspapers of general circulation

Approved