UPDATE: Majority of Filipinos agree with revival of ROTC in ‘senior high, in college or in both’–Pulse Asia
Credit to Author: The Manila Times| Date: Mon, 18 Feb 2019 05:29:56 +0000
MAJORITY of Filipinos favor return of the Reserve Officers’ Training Course (ROTC) in schools, a Pulse Asia survey said, the results of which Sen. Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian released on Monday.
The survey from December 14-21, 2018 on 1,800 respondents nationwide said 80 percent agreed to the implementation of ROTC either in “senior high, in college or in both.”
About 270 respondents or 15 percent were not in favor of the program while the rest did not have any opinion on the issue.
Of those in favor of the program, 34 percent want ROTC implemented in both senior high school and college, 28 percent only in college, while 18 percent want ROTC only in senior high school.
The respondents were asked under which levels they would prefer ROTC to be implemented.
The House of Representatives approved on second reading a bill requiring ROTC training for senior high school students.
Gatchalian said that the program would “help in building character and develop discipline among the youth.”
“By instilling in our students a sense of patriotism and discipline, we are also unlocking their potential to become future leaders and training them to become productive members of society,” he said.
Gatchalian was previously designated by the Senate Committee on Education, Arts, and Culture chairman of the subcommittee on ROTC tasked to study the possible “re-institutionalization” of the program.
Gatchalian has been a supporter in reviving ROTC since 2016 when he filed Senate Bill 200 that will make ROTC a requisite for students in all colleges, universities, and technical or vocational schools.
In 2014, Gatchalian, as a representative of Valenzuela City, authored House Bill 2338 that also promoted the revival of ROTC and made it mandatory for students.
The House of Representatives approved on second reading a bill requiring ROTC training for senior high school students.
Gatchalian said he would be holding a public hearing on February 20 to consult stakeholders on their position on the issue.
Among the guests invited to the hearing were Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Benjamin Madrigal and other military officials, Education Secretary Leonor Briones, Commission on Higher Education chairman Prospero de Vera, and University of the Philippines Vanguard Executive Director Robert Coscolluela. Representatives from various groups opposing the return of ROTC will also be invited. LIEZELLE ROY, OFELYN DATUIN
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