Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. GUSTAVO S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT 
MANDATING THE INSTITUTIONALIZATION, DEVELOPMENT, TRAINING, ORGANIZATION, 
AND ADMINISTRATION OF BASIC RESERVE OFFICERS TRAINING CORPS (ROTC) IN 
GRADES 11 AND 12 IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, AMENDING 
FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7077, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "CITIZEN 
ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES RESERVIST ACT", AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The State has the prime duty to serve and protect its people, especially in times of war, calamities, 
disasters, etc. This is espoused in Section 4, Article II of the 1987 Constitution which further states 
that: “…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 this regard, the State must enhance its capacity to produce the needed manpower and expand its 
human resources in times of war, calamities, and disasters, and national or local emergencies, by 
creating a pool of trained reservists.  
The proposed measure, which allows for the conduct of civic and basic military training to students in 
Grades 11 and 12, shall provide the following incentives for those undergoing the ROTC program: (1) 
Eligibility for commissioning/lateral entry and enlistment in the AFP, PNP, Coast Guard, BJMP, and BFP; 
(2) Free hospitalization in any government hospital in case of an accident during the training; and (3)
Access and privileges to any AFP Commissary and PX stores nationwide.
In addition, the proposed ROTC program emphasizes the development and improvement of health, 
education, ecology, and environmental protection, disaster risk reduction and management, human and 
civil rights awareness, and law enforcement.  
This measure is based upon the final version of the ROTC Bill authored by the Honorable 
Representatives Abu, Tupas, Violago, Alejano, Escudero, Robes, Nieto, and Sy-Alvarado during the 
Seventeenth Congress. I thank them for their work and effort. I hope that my input will help in the 
improvement of the proposed measure.  
On behalf of the people of Parañaque City’s Second District, and for the common good of the Filipino 
people, the approval of the said measure is earnestly sought. 
REP. GUSTAVO S. TAMBUNTING 
2nd District, Parañaque City 
August 24, 2022
1:15 pm
4083


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. GUSTAVO S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT 
MANDATING THE INSTITUTIONALIZATION, DEVELOPMENT, TRAINING, ORGANIZATION, 
AND ADMINISTRATION OF BASIC RESERVE OFFICERS TRAINING CORPS (ROTC) IN 
GRADES 11 AND 12 IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, AMENDING 
FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7077, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "CITIZEN 
ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES RESERVIST ACT", AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR 
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 "Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) 
Act”.  
SEC. 2. 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, 
shall promote civic consciousness among the youth, and shall develop their physical, moral, spiritual, 
intellectual, and social well-being. It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism, and nationalism, and 
encourage involvement in public and civic 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 of the Government's law enforcement strategy against crimes, by creating 
a pool of trained reservists.  
SEC. 3. Coverage. – The conduct of military training under the ROTC shall apply to all students in 
Grades 11 and 12 in all senior high schools in public and private educational institutions.  
SEC. 4. 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 of
the provisions of the National Defense Act and the 1987 Constitution, to produce well-
trained and prepared reservists for military and civic service. The ROTC training aims to
instill patriotism, nationalism, love of country, moral and spiritual virtues, respect for human
rights, and adherence to the Constitution.
b.
In no way shall the ROTC be used for political aims, to teach or instill a particular ideology,
and as a mechanism for hazing and abuse.
4083


c. 
The ROTC shall include the following program of instruction: 
 
(1) 
Enhancing the student’s consciousness of 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, strengthening ethical and spiritual 
values, developing personal discipline and leadership and to encourage creative 
thinking for scientific and technological development; 
 
(2) 
Basic military training for students to motivate, train, organize and utilize for 
national defense preparedness or civil-military operations: Provided, That no 
student below the age of eighteen (18) years shall take a direct part in hostilities. 
 
(3) 
Civic training for students 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. 
 
d. 
Any student who fails to undergo the mandatory Basic ROTC by 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 of Section 14 of Republic 
Act No. 7077. Any educational institution that fails to institute and implement the ROTC 
program in pursuance of 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. 
 
e. 
Guided by the provision of Section 4(b) hereof, the Department of National Defense (DND), 
DepEd, and 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 approval of this Act and shall jointly issue the implementing 
rules and regulations for the effective implementation of the provisions of this Act. 
 
SEC. 5. 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 Armed Forces of the 
Philippines (AFP) Surgeon General or his authorized medical officer, in pursuance of the 
recommendation of the educational institutions where the concerned student is enrolled; 
 
b. 
Those who have undergone or are undergoing similar military training; and  
 
c. 
Those who may be exempted from training for valid reasons as approved by the DND, 
upon recommendation by any educational institution where the concerned student is 
enrolled. 
 
SEC. 6. Acceptance for Advance ROTC. – Students who volunteer for the Advance ROTC program 
in universities, colleges, vocational schools, and other tertiary institutions shall be governed by Section 
40 of RA 7077, or the Citizen Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Act. The provisions of Section 
42 and 43 of Republic Act No. 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. 
 
SEC. 7. Organization, Operation, and Maintenance of ROTC Units. – The organization, 
operation, and maintenance for the establishment of ROTC shall be by Sections 41 and 42 of Republic 
Act No. 7077 which shall remain effective and operative unless inconsistent with this Act. The Secretary 
of National Defense, in consultation with the DepEd and TESDA, shall prescribe the organization and 
operational manual of ROTC units in public and private educational institutions for Grades 11 and 12: 


Provided, That such educational institutions shall be required to provide an adequate office for the 
ROTC administrative staff assigned thereat.  
 
The 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. 8. Incentives for Undergoing ROTC Program. – 
 
a. 
Subject to other requirements prescribed by rules and regulations, graduates of Basic ROTC 
shall be eligible for commissionship/lateral entry and enlistment in the AFP, Philippine 
National Police (PNP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Bureau of Jail Management and 
Penology (BJMP), and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) unless a waiver is issued by the 
Department Secretaries of the aforementioned military and civilian armed forces. 
 
b. 
Students undergoing Basic ROTC and those accepted in the ROTC Advance Course shall be 
provided with free hospitalization in any government hospital in case of accident or injury 
during the training. Mandatory insurance for all students undergoing ROTC shall be 
provided by the government as part of the ROTC Program.  
 
c. 
Students undergoing Basic and Advance ROTC shall be given access and privileges with 
any AFP Commissary and PX Stores nationwide. The Chief of Staff of the AFP shall issue 
the necessary regulations for the implementation of this privilege. 
 
SEC. 9. The ROTC Grievance Board. – There shall be created a Reserve Officer's Training Corps 
(ROTC) Grievance Board composed of one (1) representative from the Department of National Defense 
and two (2) representatives from the Department of Education with the more senior representative 
from the Department of Education as Chairperson. These representatives shall be appointed for their 
known integrity, probity, and independence. 
 
The ROTC Grievance Board shall have the following powers: 
 
a. 
Investigate and resolve any complaints, in any form, involving corruption and abuse, in any 
form, in the ROTC Program; 
 
b. 
Ensure that the ROTC Program is free from politicization and from being used to instill a 
particular ideology; and 
 
c. 
Recommend policies and reforms to ensure adherence of the ROTC Program to the 
Constitution and all laws penalizing abuse in any form. 
 
All decisions of the ROTC Grievance Board shall be appealable to the Office of the President.  
 
SEC. 10. Liability of the Educational Institution. – The instructor or faculty in charge of the ROTC 
shall be responsible for monitoring the activities involved in the ROTC. The instructor or the faculty-in-
charge must be a duly recognized active member, in good standing, of the faculty at the school in 
which the ROTC course is being implemented.  
 
The school or the university and its administrators shall exercise special parental authority and supervise 
the implementation of the ROTC.  
 
In case of violation of any of the provisions of this Act and other related laws, the instructor or faculty-
in-charge and the school or university and its officials shall be responsible and liable for any damage or 
injury caused to a student.  
 
SEC. 11. Funding. – The funding required to implement the establishment, maintenance, and 
operations of the ROTC Program shall be included in the budget of the implementing 
agencies/departments in the annual General Appropriations Act.  


 
SEC. 12. Separability Clause. – If any prov1s1on of this Act is held invalid or unconstitutional, the 
other provisions not so declared shall remain in force and effect.  
 
SEC. 13. Repealing Clause. – Pertinent provisions of Republic Act No. 7077, or the "Citizen Armed 
Force or Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Act", and all other laws, decrees, executive orders, 
and rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed 
or amended accordingly. 
 
SEC. 14. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official 
Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,