'TOL VIEWS

The recent Pulse Asia survey conducted last March 15-19, 2023 affirms the relevance and timeliness of Senate Bill 2034 or the Reserved Officers Training Corps (ROTC) Act.  According to the survey, 78 percent of Filipinos agree that mandatory ROTC should be restored.  Respondents believed that ROTC is an effective tool for developing leadership, discipline, responsibility, and patriotism among young Filipinos.  The bill is just inches away from passage into law, and we hope that the revival of mandatory ROTC will likewise revive the passion and zeal of the Filipino youth for service to God, country, and fellowmen. Abolished in 2001, the ROTC gained renewed interest in light of several territorial intimidation and external threats to our national sovereignty.  The Ukraine-Russia rift likewise triggered the alarm, compelling several countries of the world to recognize the importance of military reserve training in times of atrocities and war.  National security has always been a priority thrust of the Philippine government.  Hence, every physically able Filipino should be ready to defend freedom and independence, and should likewise be trained to respond to calls for national service during disasters and calamities. Of course, we do not wish to create the impression that we are preparing our youth to go to war.  Filipinos have always been, and I think will remain, a peace-loving race.  Senate Bill 2034 is anchored on the development of values that are the foundation of building a better, stronger nation.  In the achievement of this shared goal, the idealistic, patriotic, disciplined, responsible Filipino youth shall take the most important role.  My advocacy for mandatory ROTC training for college students rests on the same premise that our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal believed – “Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan.” The higher goal pursued in the ROTC Act remains the development of positive values among our youth, encouraging them to engage in nation building through civic participation, volunteerism and service.  It is with high hopes that greater public support and recognition of ROTC as a highly potent tool for the physical and moral development of the youth will continue to inspire young people to be partners for national growth and development.