ILOILO CITY — Sen. Francis Tolentino said that the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) is more than instilling military traits.
“The ROTC is for the total transformation of an individual. It instills discipline, hard work, and patience,” Tolentino told Manila Bulletin.

CADETS of the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) perform a drill at the opening of the Visayas leg of the first Philippine ROTC Games at the Iloilo Sports Complex in Iloilo City on Sunday, August 13. (Tara Yap)
Speaking on the sidelights of the first Philippine ROTC Games hosted by Iloilo, Tolentino noted that the youth must also be engaged and ready to serve their country and even their own communities.
Tolentino’s stand was also echoed by Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. and Mayor Jerry Treñas here.
Defensor said the Philippine ROTC Games is an avenue to strengthen engagement with the youth as partners in public safety and disaster response.
Iloilo is hosting the Visayas leg and games run until August 19.
ROTC cadets and student athletes from various State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) from Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and Eastern Visayas are competing in athletics, arnis, basketball, boxing, kickboxing, volleyball, and e-sports.