Republic of the Philippines
House Or REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Sixteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO. __ 3903 _

Introduced by Honorable Emmanuel D. Pacquiao

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to provide for the restoration of mandatory military training
for ail students in all universities and colleges by reinstating Sections 38 and 39 of
Republic Act (RA) No. 7077, otherwise known as the “Citizen Armed Force or
Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Act.”

The Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) is designed to provide
military training to tertiary level students in order to motivate, train, organize and
mobilize our youth for national defense preparedness. ROTC was institutionalized
under Commonwealth Act No. 1, also known as “The National Defense Act.”
Under this measure, every physically fit student was required to pursue a course of
military instruction designed to qualify him for a commission as a third lieutenant
in the Regular or Reserve Forces.

The National Defense Act was amended by Presidential Decree (PD) No.
1706, otherwise known as “The National Service Law.” The decree provides that
each citizen shall render national service in any of the three main programs,
namely: civic welfare service; law enforcement service; and military service.

The National Service Law was later amended by Republic Act No, 7077,
otherwise known as the “Citizen Armed Force or Armed Forces of the Philippines
Reservist Act” which provides for the mandatory taking of the Reserve Officers’
Training Corps (ROTC). The law requires the compietion of the course as a
requirement for all college studeists in acquiring their baccalaureate degree

Bill Drafting Service


On June 27, 1991, Republic Act No. 9163, otherwise known as the
“National Service Training Program (NSTP) Act of 2001,” was approved. The
program was enacted to enhance civic consciousness and defense preparedness in
the youth by developing their ethics of service and patriotism while undergoing
training in any three program components, namely: the Reserve Officers’ Training
Corps (ROTC), Literacy Training Service and Civic Welfare Training Service.
Under RA 9163, ROTC was made optional and voluntary.

The proposed measure seeks the restoration of the mandatory Reserve
Officers’ Training Course as provided in RA 7077 to equip our youth with
necessary knowledge and skills in securing and defending the country in times of
national emergency. This bill will in effect repeal RA 9163.

Consistent with the constitutional mandate that the government may call
upon the people to defend the state, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

EMMANGEED. PACQUIAO


Republic of the Philippines
House Or REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Sixteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3908 |

Introduced by Honorable Emmanuel D. Pacquiao

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE RESTORATION OF MANDATORY MILITARY
TRAINING FOR STUDENTS IN ALL COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
BY REINSTATING SECTIONS 38 AND 39 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7077,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “CITIZEN ARMED FORCE OR ARMED
FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES RESERVIST ACT”

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

Bill Drafting Service


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
umits 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 while the
second two (2) years after said basic ROTC, which is voluntary, shall
hereafter be referred to as aivance 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.”
SEC. 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

SEC. 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,