NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
1
SENATE
S.B. No. 1551
Jennie
o( ll'i? scactfirp
*22 NOV 28 PI 56
RECEIVED B\:
Introduced by SENATOR WIN GATCHALIAN
AN ACT
MANDATING THE INSTITUTIONALIZATION, DEVELOPMENT, TRAINING, 
ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF BASIC RESERVE OFFICERS’ 
TRAINING CORPS (ROTC) IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES, 
COLLEGES, VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS AND OTHER TERTIARY 
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, FURTHER AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT 
NO. 7077, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “CITIZEN ARMED FORCE OR 
ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES RESERVIST ACT”, AS AMENDED 
BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9163, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “NATIONAL 
SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM (NSTP) ACT OF 2001”, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In line with the policy of the State to serve and protect the people and 
to call upon them to defend the State, this bill seeks to reinstitutionalize the 
two (2)-year mandatory Basic Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) 
Program for all students enrolled in any undergraduate degree, diploma, or 
certificate program in all public and private universities, colleges, vocational 
schools and other tertiary educational institutions. It also seeks to 
reinstitutionalize the two (2)-year voluntary Advance ROTC Program.
To enhance the capacity of the nation to produce the needed workforce 
and to expand its human resource in times of war, calamities and disasters, 
national or local emergencies, this bill mandates that:


1) the Basic ROTC Program be mandatory for all students enrolled 
in any undergraduate degree, diploma, or certificate program in all 
public and private universities, colleges, vocational schools and 
other tertiary educational institutions;
2) the voluntary Advance ROTC Program may be undertaken by 
graduates of the Basic ROTC Program who also complete a Cadet 
Officer Candidacy Course;
3) 
the organization, operation and maintenance for the 
establishment of the Basic ROTC Program and Advance ROTC 
Program be in accordance with Republic Act No. 7077, otherwise 
known as the “Citizen Armed Force or Armed Forces of the 
Philippines Reservist Act”, as amended by this Act;
4) guidelines to safeguard students of the Basic ROTC Program be 
adopted to ensure the proper and effective implementation of the 
Basic ROTC Program and the Advance ROTC Program;
5) grievance committees and the National Grievance Committee be 
established;
6) incentives for undergoing the Basic ROTC Program and the 
Advance ROTC Program be given; and
7) a training program for Basic ROTC Program and Advance ROTC 
Program instructors be created and established to ensure that they 
meet the highest physical and moral standards to teach and carry 
out the said program.
Given recent events and circumstances, mandating the Basic ROTC 
Program at the tertiary level, instead of requiring it in Senior High School, is 
the most viable track for this proposal. Primarily, the COVlD-19 pandemic 
has caused learning loss among our learners. Learning recovery, such as 
through streamlining the basic education curriculum, should be the top 
priority of the basic education sector. Adding the Basic ROTC Program to the 
basic education curriculum will prove to be counterproductive. Second, 
estimates provided by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the 
Department of Education reveal that implementation of the Basic ROTC


Program in basic education will incur heavy costs for the government. The 
total cost to fully implement the Basic ROTC Program on a national scale in 
the first year alone would amount to around Php9.3 billion. As the country is 
reeling from the negative effects on the economy due to the COVID-19 
pandemic, the cost implications of the Basic ROTC Program in Senior High 
School are undesirable. On the other hand, implementing the Basic ROTC 
Program in the tertiary level will not result in a significant decrease of 
enrollees who shall eventually be enlisted in the Reserve Force. In the past 
four (4) years, on average, about 81% of those who graduated Senior High 
School proceeded to enroll in college. Thus, a substantial number of Senior 
High School graduates will still be captured under the Basic ROTC Program 
in the tertiary level.
Discipline is a foundational attribute necessary to succeed in nation­
building. As today’s youth will lead the nation in the near future, it is 
important to inculcate in them the ethics of service, patriotism and 
nationalism. The revival of the mandatory Basic ROTC Program and the 
voluntary Advance ROTC Program will ingrain this kind of discipline in our 
youth through the enhancement of the values of leadership, camaraderie, and 
sacrifice for the achievement of our national vision and shared objectives 
towards peace and progress.
In view of the foregoing, support for the passage and approval of this 
legislation is earnestly sought.
.LIAN


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
]
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
]
First Regular Session 
]
SENATE
S.B. No. 1551
laJftuT of liiP
*22 NOV 28 PI 56
RtCEIVlD BV;
Introduced by SENATOR WIN GATCHALIAN
AN ACT
MANDATING THE INSTITUTIONALIZATION, DEVELOPMENT, TRAINING, 
ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF BASIC RESERVE OFFICERS’ 
TRAINING CORPS (ROTC) IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES, 
COLLEGES, VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS AND OTHER TERTIARY 
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, FURTHER AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT 
NO. 7077, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “CITIZEN ARMED FORCE OR 
ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES RESERVIST ACT”, AS AMENDED 
BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9163, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “NATIONAL 
SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM (NSTP) ACT OF 2001”, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section. 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Mandatory
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Basic Reserve Officers ’ Training Corps (ROTC) Acf.
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to serve and
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protect the people. The government may call upon the people to defend the
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State and, in fulfillment thereof, all citizens may be required, under
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conditions provided by law, to render personal, military or civil service. The
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State recognizes the role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote
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and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual and social well-being. 
10 It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism, and encourage


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their involvement in public and civic affairs.
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Towards this end, the State shall enhance the capacity of the nation to
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produce the needed workforce and to expand its human resources in times
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of war, calamities and disasters, national or local emergencies, and in support
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of the law enforcement strategy of the government against crimes by creating
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a pool of trained reservists.
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Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:
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a) Reserve Force refers to the organization of trained reservists under
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the command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) who may
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be called for duty in the event of war, invasion or rebellion; to assist
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in relief and rescue during disaster or calamities; to assist in
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socioeconomic development; and to assist in the operation and
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maintenance of essential government or private utilities in the
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furtherance of overall mission.
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b) Basic Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Program refers to a
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mandatory two (2)-year basic leadership and military training
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program for students enrolled in any undergraduate degree,
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diploma, or certificate program in all public and private universities,
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colleges, vocational schools and other tertiary educational
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institutions.
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c) Advance ROTC Program refers to the two (2)-year optional and
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enhanced ROTC program that is offered in public and private
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universities, colleges, vocational schools and other tertiary
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educational institutions.
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d) Grievance Committee refers to an independent body that is tasked
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to investigate any complaint or allegation of abuse, violence or
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corruption in any educational institution implementing the ROTC
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Program.
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e) National Grievance Committee refers to the appellate body that has
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jurisdiction to hear appeals on the findings and recommendations
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of any local grievance committee.
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f) Public Educational Institutions refer to educational institutions that


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are established and administered by the government.
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g) Private Educational Institutions refer to educational institutions
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maintained and administered by private individuals or groups.
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Sec. 4. Coverage. - The conduct of basic military and leadership
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training under the Basic ROTC Program shall apply to all students enrolled
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in any undergraduate degree, diploma, or certificate programs in all public
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and private universities, colleges, vocational schools and other tertiary
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educational institutions.
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Sec. 5. Mandatory Basic Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Program in all
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Public and Private Universities, Colleges, Vocational Schools and Other Tertiary
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Educational Institutions. -
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a) The mandatory Basic ROTC Program for all students enrolled in any
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undergraduate degree, diploma, or certificate program in all public and
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private universities, colleges, vocational schools and other tertiary
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educational institutions is hereby reinstitutionalized, further amending
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Sections 38 and 39 of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 7077, otherwise known
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as the “Citizen Armed Force or Armed Forces of the Philippines
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Reservist Act”, as amended by R.A. No. 9163, otherwise known as the
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“National Service Training Program (NSTP) Act of 2001”, with the
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objective of producing well-trained and prepared reservists for military
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and civic service.
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b) The mandatory Basic ROTC Program shall be undertaken by all
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undergraduate students for no more than two (2) academic years.
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c) The Basic ROTC Program is aimed to instill patriotism, love of country,
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moral and spiritual virtues, respect for human rights and adherence to
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the Constitution, and shall be administered in accordance with the
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following modules:
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1) enhancing the consciousness of students in the ethics of service,
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patriotism and nationalism, respect for human rights,
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appreciation of the role of national heroes in the historical
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development of the country, strengthening ethical and spiritual


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values, developing personal discipline and leadership and to
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encourage creative thinking for scientific and technological
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development;
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2) basic military training for students in order to motivate, train,
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organize and utilize for national defense preparedness or civil-
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military operations;
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3) civic training for students in order to be active participants and
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volunteers for the development and improvement of health,
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education, ecology and environmental protection, human and
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civil rights awareness, and law enforcement; and
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4) preparedness during actual disaster response operations on
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needs assessment, improved skills for search, rescue and relief
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operations, and early recovery activities. Integration of capacity-
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building activities revolving around risk-related situations in
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order for students to be proactive in lessening the socio-economic
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and environmental impacts of disasters including climate
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change. These capacity-building activities will help build
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understanding and skills with the end view of applying disaster
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risk reduction and management principles, concepts, and
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concrete action steps toward building their resilience.
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d) Any student who fails to undergo the mandatory Basic ROTC Program
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in accordance with this Act shall not be qualified for graduation. In
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addition thereto, the non-taking of the program by any student shall be
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a ground for Compulsory Military Training pursuant to Section 14 of
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R.A. No. 7077, otherwise known as the “Citizen Armed Forces or Armed
26 
Forces of the Philippines Reservist Act”. Any educational institution
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that fails to institute and implement the Basic ROTC Program pursuant
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to this Act shall be subject to disciplinary and administrative sanctions
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as the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) or the Technical
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Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) may impose.
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e) The Department of National Defense (DND), CHED and TESDA, in
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consultation with other relevant government agencies and private
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stakeholders as the Secretary of National Defense may determine, shall


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design and formulate the Program of Instruction (POI) on the Basic 
ROTC Program.
Sec. 6. 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 AFP 
Surgeon General or his or her authorized medical officer, pursuant to 
the recommendation of the educational institutions where the 
concerned student is enrolled;
b) those who have undergone or are undergoing similar military training;
c) those who were chosen by their school to serve as varsity players in 
sports competitions; and
d) those who may be exempted from training for valid reasons as approved 
by the DND, upon recommendation by any educational institution.
Sec. 7. Advance ROTC Program. - The voluntary Advance ROTC 
Program is hereby reinstitutionalized, further amending Sections 39 and 40 
of R.A. No. 7077. All students that will undergo Advance ROTC Program must 
have completed the Basic ROTC Program and a Cadet Officer Candidacy 
Course prior to admission into the Advance ROTC Program. They shall 
comprise the Cadet Officer Corps of their respective educational institutions 
and shall assist in the management and conduct of the Basic ROTC Program. 
Students may undergo the Advance ROTC Program for no more than two (2) 
academic years.
The DND, in coordination with the CHED and, where appropriate, the 
TESDA, shall prescribe the curriculum for the Advance ROTC Program and 
the POI pursuant to the applicable provisions of R.A. No. 7077.
Sec. 8. Organization, Operation, and Maintenance of ROTC Units. - The 
organization, operation and maintenance for the establishment of the Basic 
ROTC Program shall be in accordance with Sections 41 and 42 of R.A. No. 
7077, as amended, which shall remain effective and operative unless 
inconsistent with this Act.


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Sec. 9. Composition of the Reserve Force. - All tertiary-level students
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shall be enlisted as members of the Reserve Force upon completion of the
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Basic ROTC Program, with ranks and assignments pursuant to Section 45 of
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R.A. No. 7077, as amended. Those who completed the Advance ROTC Program
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shall be conferred with ranks and assignments pursuant to Section 46 of R.A.
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No. 7077, as amended.
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Sec. 10. Guidelines to Safeguard Students of the Basic ROTC Program.
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- In order to properly and effectively implement the Basic ROTC Program and
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the Advance ROTC Program, the following policies shall be adopted to prevent
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the occurrence of hazing, corruption and other forms of abuses:
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a) the Basic ROTC Program and the Advance ROTC Program prohibit
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hazing as defined under R.A. No. 8049, otherwise known as “An Act
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Regulating Hazing and Other Forms of Initiation Rites in Fraternities,
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Sororities, And Other Organizations and Providing Penalties Therefor”
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as amended by R.A. No. 11053, otherwise known as the “Anti-Hazing
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Act of 2018” and as such, adopt the penalties for any act committed
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under the provisions of the said law;
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b) in case of school officials or employees of public or government
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educational institutions, who shall accept any gift from any student, or
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from any parent or guardian of the student, or who shall commit other
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practices contemplated under R.A. No. 3019, otherwise known as the
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“Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act” and the Revised Penal Code on
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Bribery and Corruption, the maximum penalty shall be imposed; and
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c) the penalties provided under the Revised Penal Code on Bribery and
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Corruption shall be imposed upon school officials or employees of
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private educational institutions who shall accept directly or indirectly,
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any gift, in cash or in kind, from any student, or from any parent or
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guardian of the student in relation to or pertinent with the conduct of
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the Basic ROTC Program and the Advance ROTC Program.
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Sec. 11. Establishment of Grievance Committees. -


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a) A Grievance Committee shall be formed from a cluster of educational 
institutions that shall receive complaints and/or motu proprio 
conduct investigations on any complaint or allegation of abuse, 
violence or corruption in any educational institution implementing 
the Basic ROTC Program and the Advance ROTC Program.
b) Every Grievance Committee shall be composed of three members: 
one (1) District Commandant from the DND to be chosen by the 
Secretary of National Defense, one (1) employee from the CHED 
Regional Office to be chosen by the CHED Chairperson, and one (1) 
employee from the TESDA Regional Office to be chosen by the 
TESDA Director General. Each member may serve on more than one 
(1) Grievance Committee.
c) The DND, CHED and TESDA shall jointly formulate the manner by 
which the educational institutions implementing the Basic ROTC 
Program and the Advance ROTC Program shall be clustered for the 
efficient resolution of grievances.
d) The Grievance Committee shall function as an independent 
investigative body, which shall formulate the recommendation to the 
proper disciplinary authority that has jurisdiction over the 
respondent, depending on whether he or she belongs to the military 
for which purpose, the Articles of War shall be employed. Whereas, 
for school officials and/or employees of public and private 
educational institutions, the provisions of R.A. No. 6713, otherwise 
known as the “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public 
Officials and Employees” and other relevant laws on the matter shall 
be applied. This is without prejudice to administrative cases that 
may be filed pursuant to the Civil Service rules for public officers 
and employees involved in the complaint.
e) Nothing herein shall prevent any person from filing directly with the 
regular courts any incident of violation of R.A. No. 11053 and other 
penal laws.


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Sec. 12. Powers and Duties of the Grievance Committee. - Every
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Grievance Committee shall be pro-active in its duty to:
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a) establish a system and prescribe a process to promote and encourage
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the reporting of any incident of hazing, violence, abuse and corruption
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in every clustered ROTC unit;
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b) motu proprio or upon a complaint filed by any person, investigate, any
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act of hazing, violence, abuse and corruption in the clustered ROTC
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unit;
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c) issue preventive suspension orders against officers of the ROTC or any
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school employee involved in the training within three (3) days: (1) upon
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receipt of the complaint; or (2) after initiation of the motu proprio
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investigation, to preclude him from exerting undue influence over the
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complainant and impede the normal course of the investigation;
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d) recommend the appropriate action for any offense committed in the
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clustered ROTC unit to the proper disciplinary authority which has
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jurisdiction over the respondent within fifteen (15) days upon receipt of
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the complaint or after initiation of the motu proprio investigation;
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e) monitor all complaints filed with the Committee and maintain an
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updated record of the status of each case;
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f) provide the parties of the complaint its findings and recommendations
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within thirty (30) days upon receipt thereof;
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g) promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out its objectives,
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functions and disciplinary procedures; and
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h) perform such other functions as may be provided by law.
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Sec. 13. National Grievance Committee. - There is hereby established a
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National Grievance Committee (NGC) composed of the Secretary of National
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Defense or his or her permanent authorized representative, the Chairperson
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of CHED or his or her permanent authorized representative, the Director
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General of TESDA or his or her permanent authorized representative, and the
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Secretary of Justice or his or her permanent authorized representative.
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The NGC shall receive appeals on petitions for review from the findings or
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recommendations of any of the Grievance Committees. It shall provide the


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parties with its decision within fifteen (15) days from the time of receipt of the
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petition. Any resolution of the NGC shall be final.
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Sec. 14. Incentives for Undergoing the ROTC Program. -
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a) Subject to other requirements that may be prescribed by rules and
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regulations, graduates of the Advance ROTC Program shall be
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eligible for commissionship or lateral entry and enlistment in the
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AFP, Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of
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Jail Management and Penology, and Bureau of Fire Protection
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unless a waiver is issued by the Department Secretaries of the
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aforementioned military and civilian armed forces.
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b) Students undergoing the Basic ROTC Program and the Advance
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ROTC Program shall be provided with free hospitalization in any
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government hospital in case of accident or injury during the
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training. Mandatory insurance for students undergoing the Basic
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ROTC Program and the Advance ROTC Program shall be provided
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by the school where the students are enrolled.
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c) Students undergoing the Advance ROTC Program shall be given
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access and privileges with any AFP Commissary. The Chief of Staff
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of the AFP shall issue the necessary regulations for the
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implementation of this privilege.
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Sec. 15. Capacity Development and Enhancement Program for Basic
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ROTC Program and Advance ROTC Program Instructors. - There is hereby
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created and established a training program for Basic ROTC Program and
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Advance ROTC Program instructors, to ensure that they meet the highest
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physical and moral standards to teach and carry out the Basic ROTC Program
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and the Advance ROTC Program. The program shall be developed and
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administered under the guidance and tutelage of the DND, together with
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CHED and TESDA.
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A comprehensive training manual shall be developed for the conduct of
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these trainings incorporating, among other things, gender sensitivity and
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anti-sexual harassment, human rights, relevant laws on the ROTC, national


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defense, and international humanitarian law, and other domestic and 
international laws necessary and appropriate to guarantee the integrity and 
the highest standard of moral character for the implementers of the Basic 
ROTC Program and the Advance ROTC Program.
Sec. 16. Penal Provisions. - Offenses committed by persons involved in 
or in relation to the implementation of this Act shall be subject to penalties in 
accordance with the applicable laws, rules and regulations.
Sec. 17. Offenses Punishable Under Existing Laws. - For acts already 
penalized under existing laws such as corruption, graft, hazing, sexual 
harassment, and other abuses committed by persons authorized to 
administer the Basic ROTC Program and the Advance ROTC Program, the 
maximum penalty imposable under existing laws shall be imposed.
Sec. 18. Integration into the Reserve Force. - All members of the Reserve 
Force created under Commonwealth Act No. 1, otherwise known as “The 
National Defense Act”, as amended, and of the Reserve Forces created under 
R.A No. 7077, as amended, shall be integrated into the Reserve Force created 
under this Act.
Sec. 19. Report to Congress. - The DepEd, CHED and TESDA shall 
conduct a mandatory review on the implementation of this Act and submit an 
assessment report to Congress on its impact and effectiveness not later than 
two (2) years from its effectivity.
Sec. 20. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee. - There is hereby 
created a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee (JCOC) to oversee, 
monitor, and evaluate the implementation of this Act. The JCOC shall be 
composed of five (5) members each from the Senate and from the House of 
Representatives with the Chairpersons of the Committees on Higher 
Education of both houses as Co-Chairpersons. The Chairpersons of the 
Committees on National Defense and Security shall likewise be designated as
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members of the JCOC. The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the 
President of the Senate shall designate the other three (3) members of the 
JCOC from the House and the Senate, respectively, from among the members 
of the Committees on Higher Education, one (1) member of which shall be 
from the minority.
Sec. 21. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation 
of this Act shall be charged against those authorized in the current 
appropriations of the DND, CHED and TESDA. Thereafter, the amount 
necessary for its continued implementation shall be included in the annual 
General Appropriations Act.
Sec. 22. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days 
from the effectivity of this Act, the DND, CHED and TESDA shall issue the 
rules and regulations implementing its provisions. The Implementing Rules 
and Regulations (IRR) issued pursuant to this section shall take effect thirty 
(30) days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
Sec. 23. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid 
or unconstitutional, the other provisions not so declared shall remain in force 
and effect.
Sec. 24. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, presidential 
decrees, administrative orders, rules and regulations, issuances, or parts 
thereof contrary to or inconsistent with any provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed or amended accordingly.
Sec. 25. Effectivity. - Notwithstanding the non-issuance of the IRR, this 
Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette 
or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
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