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

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H. No. 5097

Introduced by Representative Raul C. Tupas

EXPLANATORY NOTE

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE RESTORATION OF MANDATORY MILITARY
TRAINING FOR ALL GRADE 11 AND GRADE 12 STUDENTS BY REINSTATING
SECTIONS 38 AND 39 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7077, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
“ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES RESERVIST ACT”

Section 4 of Article II of the Constitution provides: "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."

This constitutional provision upholds that the defense of the State is primarily the duty
of both the government and its people. It shall be the responsibility of every Filipino to defend
the security, freedom and independence of the Philippine Republic by rendering personal,
military or civil service. Accordingly, Republic Act No. 7077, otherwise known as the “Armed
Forces of the Philippines Reservist Act" mandated the military training for students enrolled in
colleges, universities and similar learning institutions and established the Reserves Officers’
Training Corps (ROTC) course as a requirement in acquiring a baccalaureate degree.

The enactment of Republic Act No. 9163, otherwise known as the "National Service
Training Program of 2001", made the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) optional
among male college students and this resulted to the decrease in number of those pursuing
military training. At present, there is an increasing concern about the sustainability of the
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reserve manpower supply and the capacity of the
government to respond to any national security threat or national emergency, not to mention
our country's stake in the West Philippine Sea.

This bill seeks to provide for the restoration of mandatory military training for all Grade
11 and Grade 12 students by reinstating Sections 38 and 39 of Republic Act No. 7077,
otherwise known as the “Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Act.” \t also aims to
inculcate discipline, patriotic ideals and love of country to the youth.

Hence, early approval of this bill is earnestly sought.



Cov anawne

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

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.No.50.9°7

Introduced by Representative Raul C. Tupas

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE RESTORATION OF MANDATORY MILITARY
TRAINING FOR ALL GRADE 11 AND GRADE 12 STUDENTS BY REINSTATING
SECTIONS 38 AND 39 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7077, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
“ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES RESERVIST ACT”

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

SECTION 1. Sections 38 and 39 of Republic Act No. 7077, as previously amended by
Republic Act No. 9163, otherwise known as the ‘National Service Training Program
(NSTP) Act of 2001,” is hereby restored to read as follows:

“SEC. 38. Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). - Military training
for Grade 11 and Grade 12 students enrolled in colleges, universities and
similar institutions of learning is mandatory pursuant to the provisions of the
National Defense Act and the 1987 Constitution.

SEC. 39. Establishment of ROTC Units in Schools.- At such colleges,
universities and similar institutions of learning that request for the conduct of
military training in their institutions, there shall be established and
maintained Reserve Officers’ Training Corps units as the Secretary of
National Defense may approve, which shall conduct military training for the
‘students of such institutions for the purpose of producing enlisted and officer
reservists. The program of instruction shall be prescribed by the Secretary of
National Defense and may include instruction to prepare female students for
military service: Provided, That such course of instruction shall not exceed
two (2) academic years in the case of enlisted reservists, and four (4)
academic years in the case of officer reservists which shall include as
necessary summer or probationary training of not more than sixty (60)
consecutive days. The first two (2) years of ROTC training, which is
mandatory, shall hereafter be referred to as basic ROTC training while the
second two (2) years after said basic ROTC, which is voluntary, shall
hereafter be referred to as advance ROTC. The allocation of ROTC units to
the various major services of the AFP shall conform to the projected
manpower needs of their respective reserve components.”


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SECTION 2. Republic Act No. 9163, otherwise known as the “National Service Training
Program (NSTP) Act of 2001,” is hereby repealed. All other laws, executive orders,
decrees, rules and regulations and other issuances inconsistent with any provisions of this
Act are hereby amended and modified accordingly.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication in the
Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,