Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has cited the results of a new Pulse Asia survey that confirms Filipinos' support for mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program.

“Muli, nakita nating malinaw ang boses ng ating mga kababayan pagdating sa panukalang ipatupad ang ROTC (Again, we saw the clear voice of our citizens in the proposed implementation of ROTC),” he said.

Gartchalian said the survey results revealed that a majority, or 69 percent of Filipinos favored mandatory ROTC for all young people.  

According to the survey, which was conducted from December 3 to 7 last year and commissioned by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, the highest support for the revival of mandatory ROTC came from Mindanao (79 percent), followed by Visayas (74 percent), the National Capital Region (NCR) (67 percent), and Balance Luzon (63 percent).

Gatchalian recalled the results of another Pulse Asia survey he commissioned last year, which showed that 78 percent of respondents nationwide favored the implementation of ROTC at the tertiary level. This survey was conducted from March 15 to 19, 2023.

“Naniniwala ako na sa pamamagitan ng programang ito, matuturuan natin ang ating mga kabataang maging disiplinado at matatag, lalo na sa gitna ng mga hamong kinakaharap ng ating bansa pagdating sa seguridad (I believe that through this program, we can teach the youth to be discplined and resilient, amid the challenges the country is facing when it comes to security),” said Gatchalian, co-author and co-sponsor of Senate Bill (SB) No. 2034 or the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Act.

The proposed measure aims to institutionalize the mandatory Basic ROTC Program in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and Technical Vocational Institutions (TVIs) for all students enrolled in not less than two-year undergraduate degree, diploma, or certificate programs.

Gatchalian, who chairs the Committee on Basic Education said the Senate is set to prioritize the ROTC Act for plenary interpellation when the session resumes in May.