“Muli, nakita nating malinaw ang boses ng ating mga kababayan pagdating sa panukalang ipatupad ang ROTC.” Senator Win Gatchalian made this statement after a new Pulse Asia survey revealed that a majority, or 69%, of Filipinos favor mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps for all young people.  

According to the survey, which was conducted from December 3 to 7 last year and commissioned by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, the highest support for the revival of mandatory ROTC comes from Mindanao (79%), followed by Visayas (74%), the National Capital Region (67%), and Balance Luzon (63%). 

Gatchalian recalled the results of another Pulse Asia survey he commissioned last year, which showed that 78% of respondents nationwide favor the implementation of ROTC at the tertiary level. The said survey was conducted from March 15 to 19, 2023.

“Naniniwala ako na sa pamamagitan ng programang ito, matuturuan natin ang ating mga kabataang maging disiplinado at matatag, lalo na sa gitna ng mga hamong kinakaharap ng ating bansa pagdating sa seguridad,” said Gatchalian, co-author and co-sponsor of Senate Bill No. 2034 or the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Act. 

The proposed measure aims 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.

The chairperson of the Committee on Basic Education said the Senate is set to prioritize the ROTC Act for plenary interpellation when session resumes in May.