Duterte certifies mandatory ROTC bill as urgent

President Rodrigo Duterte has certified as urgent the bill seeking to implement the mandatory Reserved Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program in public and private senior high schools, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said Monday.

Duterte issued the certification as the 17th Congress only has this week to deliberate and pass proposed measures before it adjourns session on June 7. The certification was for Senate Bill 2232, which was sponsored on the floor by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian last week.

Once a bill is certified as urgent, Congress can skip the three-day rule, allowing lawmakers to pass a measure on third reading immediately after it is passed on second reading.

The House of Representatives passed its version last month.

Gatchalian, Senate education subcommittee chairman, said the revival of ROTC will inculcate discipline among Filipino youth through the enhancement of the values of leadership, camaraderie, and sacrifice for common objectives.

He said the program will also be designed around the ideals of patriotism and nationalism while emphasizing on respect for human rights and the strengthening of ethical and spiritual values.

Under this bill, the ROTC program will also put a premium on disaster preparedness and capacity-building for risk-related situations – skills, Gatchalian said, that become increasingly necessary as the country bears the brunt of climate change, among other internal and external threats.

Gatchalian said the bill contains a number of safeguards to protect Grade 11 and 12 students against abuse and corruption.

One of the safeguards is the establishment of grievance committees, both at the cluster unit and national levels, to ensure that there is a reportorial, investigative, and disciplinary mechanism available to address wrongdoings perpetrated under or through the ROTC program.

Under the bill, grievance committees must provide the parties involved with its findings and recommendations within 30 days of receipt of the complaint.

The ROTC instructors are also required to undergo a capacity development and enhancement program, which incorporates, among others, gender-appropriate and child-sensitive awareness as well as familiarity with relevant domestic laws and other international obligations. —NB, GMA News