RESERVISTS: Patriots, and their significant contributions.

The 6th Regional Community Defense Group (RCDG) is one among the sixteen (16) operating
arms of the Reserve Command, Philippine Army working in the Region VI covering six (6) provinces
namely: Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, and Guimaras. Its primary mission is to
develop, organize, train, and administer reservists into capable, responsive, mobilizeable reserve
forces as an integral component of the total army in the defense of the state and in participation to
socio-economic development efforts in Western Visayas. In a nutshell, its mission is encapsulated in
the administration of reservists and in the teaching of ROTC cadets and cadettes.

As the global landscape continues to evolve, the value and importance of military service
cannot be ignored and understated. While the active or regular forces are the backbone of the nation’s
defense, reservists and members of Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) which is the main source
of future reservists are the force multipliers in bolstering national security.

Western Visayas, a vibrant and culturally rich region in the Philippines, is renowned for its
stunning landscapes, diverse culture, and welcoming people. Yet, what truly sets it apart is its
distinction as the homeland of the country's proud reservists. Referred to as the cradle of reservists,
this land is characterized by its unwavering commitment and active participation in various activities
that uphold the mission outlined in the "Citizen Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Act."

The region is celebrated for nurturing some of the nation's most exceptional reservists. These
individuals exemplify an unwavering commitment to serving their country in times of need, a testament
to the enduring spirit of service and patriotism ingrained in the hearts of Western Visayas' residents.
Their remarkable discipline, resilience, and dedication are evident in their roles as reservists,
reflecting the region's core values. This collective spirit is tangible in their unified efforts to serve their
country.
 Reservists of this region of the country don’t just focus on aiding to the victims and damaged
caused by the aforementioned calamities and disasters but also participate on pro-active activities,
such as seminars/symposiums on the precautionary measures before, during and after calamities,
Tree Growing/Tree Planting activities, Mangrove Planting Clean-up Drives and Coastal Clean-up,
which also aims to mitigate environmental issues like air pollution, global warming, hence enhancing
the beauty and balance of the environment. The presence of these reservists adds another layer to
the rich tapestry of Western Visayas. They are a source of pride for their communities, embodying
values such as courage, loyalty, and selflessness. Their commitment to service goes beyond their
duty as reservists; they are also actively involved in their communities, contributing to various social
and civic activities.

Reservists are force multipliers to complete the total force for peacetime, natural calamities, or
armed conflicts. They bring with them skills needed by the Armed Forces already honed by their
private sector jobs as lawyers, engineers, IT, doctors, teachers, etc. Reservists are civilian in
character and military in orientation. That makes them perfectly suited for Civil-Military Operations
(CMO). Civic action, humanitarian assistance, search-rescue, civil affairs, logistics, intelligence,
information, communications, investigation, and R&D are specific examples of their worth to the
armed forces.

Throughout the years, their training equips them with the skills needed to respond to a variety
of situations, from natural disasters to conflicts where the Reservist has been a great aid in their
community in times of calamities, natural disasters and even social crisis. They served as volunteers
on providing help to victims of fire, typhoons, earthquakes, flash floods and others by means of
assisting the local government agencies particularly with PDRRMO/MDRRMO by augmenting the
trained reservists in Search and Rescue Operations, Water Search & Rescue Operations, Medical
Assistance, and Distribution of Relief Goods. In fact, they also served as contact tracers and
frontliners during the last COVID-19 pandemic and sacrificed their own safety to address the effects of
such crisis.

On the other hand, since the ROTC graduates are the main source of reservist personnel, this
units did not just focus on educating our ROTC Cadets but as well as conducting seminars, training,
conferences to the ROTC Instructors and Training Staff. Just recently this unit conducted the
Commandant’s Forum which aims to enhance and improve the competency and sustain commitment
of ROTC Commandants toward effective ROTC Management and also to apprise the them on current
directives, policies, and procedures on the efficient and effective implementation of ROTC Program.
 At present, the 6th Regional Community Defense Group, Reserve Command, Philippine Army
supervises 25,948 Advance and Basic ROTC Cadets from the different universities and colleges in
Western Visayas. The Program of Instructions of those ROTC cadets includes lectures, field works,
and practical exercises focusing on the organization of the Philippine Army, basic military principles
and theories, customs and traditions in the military service, human rights, disaster relief operations,
basic survival, counter terrorism, defensive techniques, team building, weapons familiarization, and
drills and ceremonies.

Before every School Year ends, ROTC Annual Administrative Tactical Inspection (RAATI) is
being conducted to determine the existing condition of the activated ROTC units in terms of
administration, personnel, training, facilities, training aids equipment and support extended to by the
school authorities. This will evaluate the degree and quality of training attained by the ROTC Cadets
vis-a-vis performance of Army personnel assigned in the ROTC Units which will measure the degree
of administration efficiency, training management proficiency and quality training and education
attained by the Corps of Cadets. To determine the best performing ROTC Units in the region as basis
for awards and recognition; and to determine the extent of support provided by the school, whether
ROTC Funds are judiciously utilized.

For SY 2023-2024, one Advance ROTC Cadet, Cadet 1 st Class Lianne Marie Vista Ardeña
qualifies for Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines (CSAFP) Cash Incentive Grant amounting
to FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (Php50,000.00) which was handed over by the 6RCDG, Group
Commander, COL JONATHAN C GAYAS last January 9, 2024 at H605th CDC, Panaad Park, Bgy
Mansilingan, Bacolod City. Cadet Ardeña was also a recipient of Philippine Army Advance ROTC
Cash Incentive amounting to TWELVE THOUSAND PESOS (Php12,000.00) along with Fifty (50)
other Advance ROTC Cadets from different Philippine Army ROTC Units in Western Visayas whose
academic and non-academic grades qualifies as Philippine Army ROTC Scholarship grantees.
 Moreover, in line with the President’s mandate to mandatory ROTC to strengthen the reserve
force, activities like symposiums on National Security Issues were conducted with National
Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) to raise awareness on the student/youth sector, and pre-
empt the recruitment efforts of the CTGs in the unit's area of coverage, to inform student/youth in the
anti-illegal drugs campaign, to empower the youth on their roles in nation building and, to enhance
their capabilities as young leaders and empower the youth on their roles in nation building.

Lt Gen Roy M. Galido visited the regular and reserve troops of of the 6 th Regional Community Defense Group, led by Col
Jonathan C. Gayas, Group Commander of 6RCDG at the Headquarters 602 nd Community Defense Center, Camp Gen Leandro M
Fullon, San Jose de Buenavista, Antique.

With such remarkable contributions, the reservists and members of ROTC under the
administration and supervision of 6th RCDG, gained its relevance in the society and other
stakeholders especially with the Philippine Army organization. To manifest its significance, no less
than the current Commanding General, Philippine Army, LtGen ROY M GALIDO PA, visited Camp
Gen Leandro M Fullon, San Jose de Buenavista, Antique the home of the reservists of the province
last 07 February 2024.

During his “Talk to Troops” Lt Gen Galido shared three things to the reservists and members
of the ROTC that will serve as guiding principles crucial in fulfilling everyday lives as soldiers:
Maintaining discipline, sustain a healthy lifestyle, and care for your families as a source of strength.
For the Reserve Force, Commanding General of the Philippine Army is so grateful of the
services rendered by the members of the Reserve Force of Antique on their active participation and
involvement in helping the Local Government in times of calamities and HADR Operations. He also
appreciated their active involvement in the Reserve Force Training and Development in making
themselves ready in any eventualities that will happen in the future.He also emphasized that
reservists are not only volunteers since the term “volunteers” means their participation ends after
the job is done but the CG, PA preferred to call them as “PATRIOTIC” individuals who serve
continuously, selflessly, and without hesitations.