Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa (Senate PRIB)

Senator Ronald ‘’Bato’’ dela Rosa is optimistic that a bill making Reserved Officers Training Course (ROTC) mandatory in colleges as well as in technical and vocational courses would be enacted into law before the end of 2023. The bill, according to Dela Rosa, would be debated on the Senate floor when the Senate resumes regular session on May 8. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives is reportedly ready to approve a similar bill. Dela Rosa, however, doesn't think that the Mandatory ROTC bill would be passed by Congress before the second State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand ‘’Bongbong’’ Marcos Jr. on the fourth Monday of July. He said 84 percent of Filipino youths with ages ranging from 18 to 24 favor the Mandatory ROTC bill. ‘’Majority rules. We live in a democratic country,’’ he stressed, saying that the remaining 16 percent represented by some school organizations should just cool their heels. Females are not exempted in the coverage of the Mandatory  ROTC measure. For persons with disabilities, an alternative program of instruction would be offered, Dela Rosa said. Dela Rosa, a former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, said those who fail to complete the ROTC training would not be able to graduate. As for out-of-school youths, dela Rosa said he would press for the implementation of an old law, Republic Act (RA) 7077, or the Reservists Act, following the activation of ROTC training. The statute mandates that all able-bodied men should undergo training, he explained. Dela Rosa said a P5-billion appropriation is needed for the free uniform and boots for ROTC trainees for both public and private school students. Aside from physical military education, ROTC will teach respect for human rights, environmental preservation, love of country, personality and moral development, and disaster preparedness. The senator from Davao said the bill would establish local and national grievance mechanisms for abuses and hazing.