DepEd backs mandatory ROTC

The Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday expressed its support for the proposed mandatory Reserved Officers Training Program (ROTC) for senior high school students.

"Nu'ng nag-sneak attack, World War II, ang isang government, isang state, ang Japan, bombed and attacked and took over the Philippines, ang unang nag-defend ang ROTC because they were the easiest (and) the fastest to mobilize," Education Secretary Leonor Briones said on Joseph Morong's report for State of the Nation with Jessica Soho.

House Bill No. 8961 mandates the institutionalization, development, training, organization and administration of basic ROTC for Grades 11 and 12 in both private and public education institutions.

The Lower House approved the measure on third and final reading on Monday, with 167 voting in the affirmative, four in the negative and zero abstentions.

The bill, however, has yet to hurdle the Senate.

"(I think) ang Department of National Defense (DND) ginagawan na ng paraan if ever na ma-sponsor-an ito on Monday pero marami pang clarifications at amendments ang mga kasamahan natin, mahihirapan na tayong maaprubahan ito sa 17th Congress," Gatchalian said in an interview.

The report said more than 27 million learners are expected to enrol this coming school year.   

If the 17th Congress does pass the mandatory ROTC bill into law before school opens, DepEd said it would first be pilot-tested in 100 schools for the next two years.

According to Education Undersecretary Alain Pascua: "DepEd, DND, and AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) have already selected or identified several of the pilot schools."

"These are the schools that are very near AFP bases or military bases," he added. — Margaret Claire Layug/BAP, GMA News