Republic of the Philippines

* HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

ot

Quezon City *

Eightéenth Congress

First Regular Session

3642

House Bill No:

patroduced by REP. MERCEDES C.
» =

EXPLANATORY NOTE

x

Section 4, Article y of the 1987 Constitution provides:

2 . d
“The prime duty of the Government is to serve arid: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.’ : .

The aforementioned constitutional provision underscores the importance of
the required collaborative efforts of the government as well as,pf the people with
respect to the defense of our country. Thus, Republic Ad. (RA) No. 7077,
otherwise known as the “Citizens Armed Force or Armed Forces of the Philippines
Reservist Act” was approved. Among the:pertinerit provisions of RA 7077 were
Sections 38 and 39 which stressed the need to conduct military training for
students enrolled in the colleges, universities and similar institutions of.learning for
the purpose ‘of producing qualified enlisted and officer réservists who are
organized, trained, developed and maintained to ensure their immediate and quality
response to the call of service as protectors of the people and the State.

The Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program was an integral
component of the formative years of previous generations. It served not only as a
tool for their personal development, but as a crucial pillar in their national identity,
prompting them to realize the true concept, of military service focused on serving
and protecting the country. ‘. .


On January 23, 2002, RA 9163, otherwise known as the “National Service
Training Program (NSTP) Act of 2001,” was approved. The said national service
training program was enacted for the purpose of enhancing the youth’s active
contribution to the welfare of the country by undergoing training in any of its three
(3) service components, namely: the ROTC, the Literacy Training Service and the
Civic Welfare Training Service. The NSTP Act of 2001 amended Sections 38 and
39 of RA 7077 which made ROTC optional and voluntary.

+ This Proposed measure seeks the revival of the ROTC for tertiary level
students to instill in them the values of patriotism, discipline, obedience to
_ authority, support for the adherence to the Constitution, respect of the rights of
civilians and love of the country. Further, this discipline-based program will help
the government produce well-prepared enlisted and officer reservists who will be
in the frontline of rendering personal military or civil service particularly in times
of disasters and other emergencies, and when insurgency or conflicts arise. , This
bill will in effect repeal RA‘9163.
Ls

In view of the foregoing, approval of:this biil is earnestly sought:

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MERCEDES “DIDIOC. CAGAS



Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRES

NTAI

Quezon City:

Eighteenth Congress

comers

First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _3642

Introduced by REP. MERCEDES C. C.

AN ACT
REINSTATING THE MANDATORY RESERVE OFFICERS’ TRAINING
CORPS (ROTC) FOR ALL TERTIARY LEVEL STUDENTS, AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7077, AS AMENDED,
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 Section 38 of Republic; Act No. 7077, as amended, is ae
further amended 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.”



SEC. 2. Section 39 of the same Act, as amended, is hereby further amended
to read as follows: j
“SEC. 39, ESTABLISHMENT OF ROTC UNITS IN
SCHOOLS. — IN 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:
PROVIDED, THAT SUCH PROGRAM OF INSTRUCTION
INCLUDES BASIC ROTC WHICH SHALL NOT EXCEED TWO
(2) ACADEMIC YEARS IN THE CASE OF ENLISTED
RESERVISTS, AND ADDITIONAL TWO (2) ACADEMIC YEARS
FOR ADYANCE ROTC IN THE CASE OF OFFICER

RESERVISTS. THE FIRST, TWO (2), YEARS OF BASIC ROTC


SHALL BE MANDATORY WHILE THE SECOND TWO (2)

YEARS OF ADVANCE ROT@ SHALL BE VOLUNTARY,

INCLUDING A SUMMER OR PROBATIONARY TRAINING OF

NOT MORE THAN SIXTY (oy CONSECUTIVE DAYS. THE

ALLOCATION OF ROTC UNITS TO THE VARIOUS MAJOR

SERVICES OF THE AFP SHALL CONFORM TO THE

PROJECTED MANPOWER NEEDS OF ITS .RESERVE

COMPONENTS.” ;

SEC. 3. Any student who is currently enrolled or has previously enrolled in
either the Literacy Training Service or the Civic Welfare Training Service pursuant
to Republic Act (RA) No. 9163, otherwise known as the “National Service
Training Program (NSTP) Act of 2001,” shall be allowed to complete the program
as a requirement for their graduation.

SEC. 4. RA 9163 is hereby repealed. All other laws, executive orders, rules
and regulations which are ineoaiatert with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 5. “This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,