Gatchalian hopes for smooth passage of ROTC bill in 18th Congress

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian expressed optimism Monday that the passage of the mandatory basic Reserved Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program bill will be smooth in the next Congress.

“Irere-file ko ‘yung ROTC bill. Sa tingin ko mas mabilis na kasi by the certification of the President nangangahulugan na gusto ng Presidente at parte ito ng kanyang polisiya,” Gatchalian said, noting that the bill has been certified as urgent by the President during the 17th Congress.

“Ang Senado ay bibigyan niya ng pahalaga at tingin ko mas mapapabilis  ang debate at pag-uusap both in the Lower House at dito sa Senado,’’ he added.

The House of Representatives approved the bill on third and final reading in May but it was not tackled at the plenary in the Senate as the chamber prioritized the passage of the higher excise tax on tobacco bill. 

Since Congress already adjourned sine die on June 4, bills have to be refiled and discussed again before it can be passed into law. The President also needs to issue another certification that the bill is urgent.

The 18th Congress will open on July 22.

Gatchalian said under the bill that he will file, mandatory ROTC program will be implemented in senior high school and it will both for female and male students.

He said the ROTC program is optional for persons with disabilities. They only need to secure a a certification from the Department of Education and Department of National Defense if they want to join.

“Kukuha siya ng certification from DepEd and DND. Depende kung ano ang kanyang  kapansanan pero option niya kung gusto niyang tumulong, puwede siyang maging clerk or sumali sa support services,” he said.

He said the ROTC program will not only focus on military training but will also put a premium on disaster preparedness and capacity-building for risk-related situation skills.

He added the completion of the basic ROTC course does not automatically enlists a student into the Reserve Force.

“Kapag natapos sila ng ROTC, hindi automatic na reservist, option na nila kung gusto nila maging reservist o hindi. Ang aming pag aaral dahil natrain na sila, mas malaki ang tsansa na papasok silang reservist at mas malaki rin ang tsansa na mag-advance ROTC,” he said. — RSJ, GMA News