Nearly eight out of 10 Filipinos support the implementation of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) in college.
This is the result of a Pulse Asia survey which asked adult Filipino respondents if they are in favor of implementing ROTC at the tertiary level. The survey was conducted from March 15 to 19 this year.
Results of the survey show that 78% of respondents nationwide support mandatory ROTC in college, 13% disagree, 8% cannot say whether they agree or disagree while the rest say they don’t have enough knowledge to give an opinion on the issue. An overwhelming majority of respondents in the National Capital Region (77%), Balance Luzon (72%), Visayas (80%), and Mindanao (92%) favor the implementation of ROTC in college.
There is also broad support for ROTC in college across socioeconomic classes. Results of the survey further show that 81% of respondents from both Classes ABC and E and 78% from Class D say that they are in favor of mandatory ROTC in college.
One of the top reasons for supporting mandatory ROTC is the belief that it will make young people learn discipline and responsibility (71%). Those who favor the proposal also believe that it will prepare students to defend the country (60%) and teach them leadership skills (59%).
“Malinaw ang boses ng ating mga kababayan sa pagsuporta sa pagbabalik ng ROTC sa kolehiyo,” said Gatchalian, co-author and co-sponsor of Senate Bill No. 2034 or the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Act.
“Kaya naman patuloy nating isusulong ang ating panukalang muling magkaroon ng ROTC sa kolehiyo hanggang sa maisabatas ito. Sa pamamagitan ng ROTC, maituturo natin sa mga kabataan ang disiplina, pagmamahal sa bayan, at kahandaang tumulong lalo na sa panahon ng mga sakuna,” the senator added.
Those who are not in favor of mandatory ROTC believe that it will only increase cases of abuse, harassment, and hazing (75%). They also believe that it will waste the time of youth which should be spent on studying (56%) and that it will only become an instrument of power for leaders and officers (44%).
Gatchalian assured, however, that the proposed measure has safeguards. For one, a Grievance Board will be established in every ROTC unit to receive complaints or motu proprio conduct investigations on any complaint or allegation of abuse, violence, or corruption.
The Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Act seeks to institutionalize the mandatory Basic ROTC Program in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and Technical Vocational Institutions (TVIs) for all students enrolled in not less than two-year undergraduate degree, diploma, or certificate programs.
