MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives yesterday approved on third and final reading a measure that seeks to establish a mandatory basic Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) for senior high school students in public and private schools. House Bill 8961 or the ROTC Act institutionalizes or mandates ROTC training program for students enrolled in Grades 11 and 12 in all educational institutions, whether public or private, and which will serve as a prerequisite for graduation. Exempted from mandatory ROTC course are students who are physically and psychologically unfit; athletic scholars chosen to represent the school in sports competitions and those with other valid reasons as approved by the Department of National Defense. The measure aims to amend Republic Act 7077 or the “Citizen Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Act” to make ROTC mandatory. Generally, the proposed law will introduce basic military training for students to motivate, train, organize and utilize for national defense preparedness or civil-military operations.

Source: Philippine Star May 20, 2019 16:00 UTC