Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO.7'7'70

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE MANUEL JOSE M. DALIPE

AN ACT
RE-INSTITUTING RESERVE OFFICERS’ TRAINING CORPS (ROTC) AS A MANDATORY
COURSE FOR TERTIARY LEVEL STUDENTS IN ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE COLLEGES,
UNIVERSITIES AND SIMILAR LEARNING INSTITUTIONS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill proposes the re-institution of the mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps
(ROTC) Program for all tertiary level students currently enrolied in any colleges, universities and
technical or vocational schools.

The Philippine Constitution 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
required by law, to render personal, military or civil service. Likewise, it also provides that the
State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote and protect their
physical, moral, spiritual and social being and inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism,
and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs.

Since the enactment of Republic Act No. 9163 otherwise known as the “National Service
Training Program (NSTP) Act of 2001", enrolment in ROTC Programs declined dramatically.
Consequently, the number of reservist that can fulfill the Citizen Armed Force mission’ reduced
as well.

The present National Service Training Program (NSTP) that became the alternative
program for the ROTC, are deemed insufficient to inculcate the values of discipline and patriotism
required and do not address the military training ideally required for every citizen.

With the current development and territorial issues confronted by our Republic and the
imminent threat against our territorial integrity, there is a need to strengthen the capacity of the
Citizen Armed Force in order to be ready and responsive to the call of service with the ultimate
objective of attaining peace and stability in our country.

‘This representation believes that it is now the opportune time to re-institutionalize the
basic military and officer training for our tertiary students. By this legislation, we provide the
appropriate training to ensure their readiness to respond to the call of service.


The mandatory imposition of ROTC Programs will increase the number of reservist that
may be called upon in times of need of country. Moreover, it will help in personal development
of citizens. No less than the President Rodrigo Roa Duterte declared that, “military training
instills discipline and patriotism among the youth and promote spirit of love of country”.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought.

MANUEL JOSE M. BALIP}
24 District, Zamboahga Ci


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

‘SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 7770

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE MANUEL JOSE M. DALIPE

AN ACT RE-INSTITUTING RESERVE OFFICERS’ TRAINING CORPS (ROTC) AS A
MANDATORY COURSE FOR TERTIARY LEVEL STUDENTS IN ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE
COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES AND SIMILAR LEARNING INSTITUTIONS

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 “ROTC Act of 2018”,

SEC. 2. Statement of Policy. -a) It is hereby declared the policy of the State to serve and
protect the people. 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; b) The State recognizes the 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.

SEC. 3. Coverage. - The Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) shall apply to all male
and female students enrolled in public or private universities and similar post-secondary
learning institution. It shall form part of the curricula of all baccalaureate degree courses
and two-year technical courses or vocational courses. Compliance thereto shall be
prerequisite for graduation.

SEC. 4: Mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) - The Reserve Officers’
Training Corps (ROTC) is hereby declared mandatory for all male and female students in
any private or public universities, colleges, and similar learning institutions. The program
of instruction shall be prescribed by the Secretary of National Defense to prepare male
and female students for military service. Such course of instruction shall not exceed two
(2) academic years in the case of enlisted reservists which shall hereafter be referred to
as the Basic ROTC and four (4) academic years in the case of officers reservist which will
be then referred to as Advance ROTC. The allocation of ROTC units to the various services
of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) shall conform to the projected manpower
needs of their respective reserve components.


SEC. 5. Persons Disqualified or Exempt From This Act:

a) Students who are physically or psychologically unfit, as certified by the
medical personnel of the of the educational institution concerned or by a
medical officer of the Department of National Defense (DND);

b) Students who have undergone or are undergoing similar military training, duly
recognized by the government as adequate to qualify the trainees as reservists
in the military;

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

d) Students who may be so exempted from training for valid reasons which may
be authorized jointly by the DND and the academic institution where the
concerned student is enrolled;

e) Such others as may hereafter be exempted by law.

SEC. 6. Acceptance for Advance ROTC - Students who volunteer for Advance ROTC
shall be screened by an ROTC Acceptance Board which is hereby created for the purpose,
composed of the commandant of the ROTC unit, a representative of the school nominated
by the school authorities, and a military physician. The student volunteer shall be
physically for fitness training of his volition. Where the student is below eighteen (18)
years of age, he shall be required to obtain parents’ or guardian’s consent. In the case of
students volunteering for reserve officers’ training, they shall further be subject to
competitive examination. The students undergoing Advance ROTC shall be referred to as
Advance ROTC Cadets.

SEC. 7. Funding - The funds necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be
charged to the current appropriations of the Department of National Defense (DND).
Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for its continued implementation shall be
included in the annual budget of the DND.

SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations - The Secretary of National Defense,
(DND) in coordination with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the
Technical Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) shall issue the necessary rules and
regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 9. Repealing Clause - For purposes of this Act, pertinent provisions of Republic Act
NO. 9163, otherwise known as the “National Service Training Act of 2001” is hereby
deemed amended. All other laws, executive orders, presidential decrees, rules and
regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with any provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 10. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,