Bato optimistic on ROTC bill passage

MANILA, Philippines — The proposal to revive the Reserve Officers Training Course (ROTC) has a better chance of getting approved in the third and last session of the 19th Congress, Sen. Ronald dela Rosa said yesterday.

“In the past it (the chance to pass the ROTC bill) used to be slim. Now, the chance is better,”dela Rosa said in an interview over dwPM noting that when it comes to voting, he is sure that more people will vote in favor.

He said that with the heightened tension between the Philippines and China over the dispute on the West Philippine Sea also improved the chance of the ROTC revival.

Under the proposal, the senator said all students – male and female – in senior high school, college and those taking technological and vocational would be required to take two years or four semesters of ROTC.

He pointed out that the bill has also addressed the apprehension of parents and students of abuses and sources of corruption.

“The bill provides that there will be grievance committees nationwide that could conduct motu proprio investigation to be headed by the school president with members from the DND (Department of National defense, CHED (Commission on Higher Education) and the local government unit,” he noted.

He said a grievance board will also be established at the national level.

“The proposed ROTC would include lessons about defense preparedness, disaster preparedness, volunteerism, nationalism and patriotism,” Dela Rosa said.