ROTC (AFFIRMATIVE)

PRACTICABILITY

It has been almost two decades since the government made optional the Reserved Officers Training
Corps for college students. And this only explains why most youths have only learned of it from social
media or even from hearsays.

Marami ang sumusuporta at gustong i-sulong ang programang ito. At least 14 bills have been filed in
Congress calling for the revival of the ROTC through its mandatory coverage of high-school students
around the country. Bakit nga ba marami ang may gusto na maibalik muli ang ROTC? A lot of Filipinos
believes that it is not only a requirement in college education but a demand for citizenship as a duty on
the basis of the following:

1. That it will not slow down the economy of our country

2. That it is eminently important for citizens to be capable of defending the country
3. That ROTC is essential and will be a great help to our motherland

FIRST argument: That it will not slow down the economy of our country

(onto my first argument)

 On February 8, 1967, President Ferdinand Marcos rescinded Executive Order No. 207 of 1939,
promulgating Executive Order No. 59 in its place. Ang executive order na ito ay ginawang
mandatoryo ang ROTC sa lahat ng kolehiyo, unibersidad, at iba pang institusyon na may
enrollment na 250 lalaking estudyante at higit pa. In the year 1967, our Country's Gross
Domestic Product o GDP growth annual is 5.2%, according to Data Word Bank Organization.
Nung ginawang mandatory ang ROTC hindi naman naapektuhan and ekonomiya ng ating bansa.
Mas tumaas pa ito makalipas ang mga ilang taon katulad noong year 1973; our GPD growth is
8.8. Kung nagsimula ang Mandatory ROTC sa ating bansa na ang GPD growth annual is 5.2
kakayanin din natin 'yon dahil ang ating GPD growth this year 2022 is rising to 8.3%.

SECOND argument: That it is eminently important for citizens to be capable of defending the country

In addressing the compelling state interest for ROTC to be mandatory, we have to take note that…

 The main danger to the Philippines' economic stability is terrorism, as shown by recent terrorist
acts and natural (disaster) catastrophes.

Thus, it is obvious that mobilizing the reserve force when the immediate welfare, security, and
existence of the Filipino people are in jeopardy as well as during times of war is in the national
interest.
THIRD argument: That ROTC is essential and will be a great help to our motherland

 Readiness for mobilization lifts the coping capacity of the Philippines, as a disaster-prone nation

The AFP is acknowledged as a critical responder in the National Disaster Response Plan. With
this important role, the ready reserve may now easily mobilize in rescue and retrieval
operations, relief and evacuation, rehabilitation and recovery in support of NDRRMC and LGUs
— things we will not realize how vital, unless we experience the disaster first-hand.

Clearly, ROTC highlights a sense of purpose and direction in life and provides an avenue to exercise good
citizenship and building a community. Without a doubt ROTC, if implemented, will be a big-step to a to a
better future for the Filipino citizens and to its country.
BENIFICIALITY

Sa ating bansa, marami ang government officials ang sangayon sa Reserve Officers Training Corps o
ROTC. Ang ROTC ay isa sa mga component ng National Service Training Program. Ito ay naging mainit na
usapan ng mga Pilipino sapagkat marami ang sang-ayon at hindi sang-ayon dito. Gayun pa man mas
marami ang magandang maidudulot ng ROTC kung ito ay ipapatupad.

ROTC is the best way to embed

and instill values such as a
sense of patriotism and
nationalism in the Filipino
youth
One of the best benefits derived from the ROTC were topped by (1) enhancement of skills in essential
leadership with emphases on the ability to listen and ability to communicate which were rated very
important and very much benefited among other training aspects of the program and render them
indispensable attributes of a good leader. You will know how to develop leadership in ROTC by following
your own example, not just by issuing instructions. Being an officer in the Philippine Army involves being
a strategist, a motivator, and a counselor. It's comparable to holding a key managerial position in a
business. As an Officer, you will guide other Soldiers in all circumstances and adapt to dynamic
conditions. You'll be motivated to complete each assignment successfully with your team.

ROTC is the best way to embed

and instill values such as a
sense of patriotism and
nationalism in the Filipino
youth
Isa sa mga magagandang kakalabasan ng ROTC ay ang (2) sense of patriotism and nationalism sa
kabataang Pilipino. ROTC is the best way to embed, enhance and instill these values. Kapag mayroon
tayo ng mga ito, we will have the heart and more courage to uphold and defend the country's national
institutions and sovereignty. Since, halos ang mga tao sa henerasyon natin ngayon ay reklamador at
kulang sa disiplina, ROTC will be the solution to that. The Filipino youths will sense the purpose; respect
for the laws and the authorities; obedience to rules and regulations to students in a military training
environment; and the love for the country will instill in their mind while the students are still young.

Bukod sa diwa ng disiplina at pagkamakabayan na nakukuha ng isang tao mula sa aktibong pakikilahok
sa ROTC; ay ang (3) kahandaang gampanan ang buong responsibilidad ng pagtatanggol sa Pilipinas
from foreign aggression, considering that defense of the State is the duty of everyone. Discipline and
obedience to authority developed through the ROTC program can go a long way in addressing the
problems our country is faced with – from the nightmarish drug menace to the hellish traffic jams
worsened by undisciplined motorists and pedestrians. Internal unrest, as evidenced by the recent
terrorist attacks and natural disasters, is the primary threat to the economic stability of the Philippines.
Our Global Terrorism Index went as high as 71.8%, which is a clear manifestation of the crippling
impact on the economic development of the Philippines. And to make matters worse, the record on
Philippines' Hazard and Exposure risk shows a devastating 78% disaster vulnerability with only 42%
coping capacity. Hence, the need for the reserve force to be mobilized in times, not only of war, but also
when the immediate welfare, security, and survival of the Filipinos are at stake clearly benefits the
entire country.

Undoubtedly, ROTC will be a big help to us; not only for youths but for all the Filipino Citizens. They will
be more at ease in the reason that there are a lot of people who fights and protect them. Obviously, The
benefits that would be derived by students—not mentioning the whole country—from the
implementation of the mandatory ROTC for senior high-school students will far outweigh the issues and
concerns that are being thrown against the program.

Sources:

- https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/09/01/rotc-revival-to-benefit-students-nation-defense-
police-officials/
- https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.KD.ZG?locations=PH&name_desc=false
- https://www.coursehero.com/u/file/83914278/ANC-ROTC-Practicability-Revised-3docx/?
justUnlocked=1
- https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1061593
LEGALITY

Kung magkakaroon ulit ng ROTC sa ating bansa, mare-revive muli ang RA No. 7077, to be specific, Article
VII, Section 38, Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) na nagsasabi na “Military training for students
enrolled in colleges, universities and similar institutions of learning is mandatory pursuant to the
provisions of the National Defense Act and the 1987 Constitution”. In order to educate students for
national defense readiness, ROTC aspires to provide military education and training. Its specific goals
include preparing college students to serve in the AFP in case of an emergency and preparing them to
join the reserve forces and maybe become commissioned officers in the AFP. Legalizing it this year is a
good idea.

A lot of Filipinos think that ROTC should not be back because not everyone is qualified for the training.
Pero mayroon tayong RA 7077, Article VII CITIZEN MILITARY TRAINING, Section 37 Incorporation into
training that upon reporting to their assigned training centers, the selected registrants shall be
physically examined and if found fit for the service shall be inducted into service. Where a change of
training center is necessary to provide the requisite (necessary) training, the commanding officer of the
training center shall be authorized to issue the necessary orders covering his transportation and provide
the funds for the purpose: provided, that no registrant shall be transferred to a training center outside
his province or designated training center except in the case of Philippine Navy and Philippine Air Force
registrants if there are no air or naval training centers thereat.

Also, as stated in Section 43, the students who are undergoing advance ROTC who belong to the upper
five percent (5%) of their academic class shall be provided a tuition subsidy of fifty percent (50%) of their
annual tuition for the period of their advance ROTC. the funds for this purpose shall be carried in the
annual appropriations of the AFP. The Chief of Staff, AFP shall promulgate the guidelines for the
implementation of this provision. This will benefit the students who are undergoing advanced ROTC and
will give motivation to other students.

As reported by Manila Bulletin, leaders could be guided by what Lee said when he started building
Singapore’s defense system to the exemplar that it is today: “We had to re-orientate people’s minds to
accept the need for a people’s army and overcome their traditional dislike for soldiering… Only if we
changed people’s thinking and attitudes could we raise a large citizen army like Switzerland or Israel.”
With public acceptance of an improved ROTC program, it would then be easier to implement, if the need
should arise, the provision (Article 2, Section 4) in the 1987 Constitution which states that “Government
may call upon the people to defend the State and, in fulfillment thereof, all citizens may be required,
under conditions provided by law, to render personal military or civil service.”

To gain widespread acceptance and make the public realize the necessity of ROTC in our country’s
development and security, there is need to enhance the program and put in place the necessary
safeguards to avoid past mistakes. There is no doubt that a powerful deterrent against enemy invasion
may be the knowledge that millions of Filipinos with ROTC training would be willing and able to defend
the motherland.