Marcos says mandatory ROTC to boost the country's disaster response

The proposed reinstitution of the mandatory Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program for senior high school students will help bolster the country’s capability in dealing with disasters, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said Saturday. 

In his weekly vlog, Marcos said the ROTC is designed to train high school students not only for national defense preparedness but also for disaster response and emergency management.

“Mas marami rin tayong maihahanda na sibilyan para sa mga ganitong disaster response sa pamamagitan ng ROTC program dahil hindi lang naman national defense ang tinuturo sa kanila kundi disaster preparedness and capacity building para dito nga sa tinatawag na risk-related situations na itinuturo sa kanila,” he said.

(We can also prepare more civilians for such disaster responses through the ROTC program because they will be taught not only about national defense but also disaster preparedness and capacity building for the risk-related situations.)

Marcos made the remark after a magnitude 7 earthquake hit Abra on Wednesday, which reportedly left 10 people dead and over 200,000 affected.

During his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) last Monday, Marcos pushed for mandatory ROTC, naming it as one of the priority measures of his administration.

He then said that the goal of the program is “to motivate, train, organize, and mobilize the students for national defense preparedness, including disaster preparedness and capacity building for risk-related situations.”

He also points out that those who respond to calamities must be properly trained and equipped with knowledge and skills in disaster response.

The chief executive added that Filipinos must always be prepared in times of emergency, given that the Philippines is situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire and the typhoon belt.

Disaster-proof communities

After witnessing the damage caused by the earthquake, Marcos said the country must also build “disaster-proof” communities and make the country more resilient to disasters.

“[Ito] ay nasira at kailangan talagang mai-restore kaagad. Kaya naman, lahat ng ating mga itatayo na mga bago ay dapat disaster-proof na ang ating pagplano sa itong mga ito mula sa mga kalye, building, pati na rin ‘yung heritage site, eskwelahan, ospital, mga bahay ng ating mga mamamayan,” he said.

(They were damaged and need to be restored immediately. That's why, planning all our new buildings must be disaster-proof–from streets, buildings, heritage sites, schools, hospitals, and houses of our citizens.)

Marcos also said that the needs of the quake victims are being taken care of and attended to by concerned national and local government agencies.

He also thanked the private sector that responded to the needs of those affected by sending them food, water, and generators.

At least 48 cities or municipalities experienced power interruption, but power supply in 46 cities and municipalities was already restored, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s (NDRRMC) situation report on Saturday.

Likewise, four cities or municipalities experienced water supply interruption. Water supply in three cities or municipalities however were already restored. —Giselle Ombay/KG, GMA News