House passes mandatory ROTC bill on second reading

MANILA, Philippines — A bill reviving mandatory Reserve Officers Training Corps for Grades 11 and 12 students was passed on second reading by the House of Representatives on Wednesday

House Bill 8961 is a consolidated version based on the bill authored and filed by Rep. Raneo Abu (Batangas). 

Reviving the ROTC is one of several legislative priorities of President Rodrigo Duterte, who said the program would instill patriotism in the youth.

READ: Duterte urges lawmakers anew to bring back ROTC

Abu said in November that the ROTC “affirms the values that we have always been taught as children: discipline, camaraderie, respect for others, especially those who’ve come before us, and a deep sense of nationalism and love for country.”

ROTC was made optional in 2002. It allowed college students to choose between ROTC, Literacy Training Service and Civic Welfare Training Service.

READ: Why ROTC is no longer mandatory

Students undergoing basic and advance ROTC shall be provided with free hospitalization in any government hospital in case of accident or injury during the training.

Some features of the bill include exemptions for students who are “physically or psychologically unfit” or have already undergone similar training or play sports.