President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. tagged the the passing of Senate Bill (SB) No. 2034 as “urgent,” making Reserved Officers Training Corps (ROTC) mandatory for students of tertiary and vocational institutions—Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino confirmed on September 30, Monday.
This follows President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s recent approval of the bill during a Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) meeting.
With the President’s endorsement, SB No. 2034, also known as the proposed Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Act, has been elevated to a Tier 1 priority in the LEDAC’s legislative agenda, ensuring it will be among the first issues tackled when the Senate reconvenes in November, according to Tolentino.
The proposed bill includes considerations for the program’s duration and curriculum, integrating topics such as climate change, disaster preparedness, and civics.
Tolentino also noted that discussions are underway regarding resource pooling for smaller colleges to make the program more accessible.
“We can make the first year the basic course, followed by advanced training in the second year. For those who wish to specialize further,” he stated.
Additionally, Tolentino highlighted that the increasing participation in ROTC Games and the growing interest from female cadets are indicators of shifting public perception.
He also underscored the program’s role in fostering patriotism, particularly given the ongoing territorial issues in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
(Photo sourced from Inquirer)
