Mandatory ROTC for senior high still in progress

June 30, 2018 Metro BLISTT

The mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) for senior high school students is not yet final.
This is what the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Arescom Commander, Brigadier General Bernie Langub, said in an interview during the 1st Reactivation Anniversary of 14RCDG-Arescom on Sunday (June 24, 2018) at the Beneco Multi-Purpose Hall, South Drive, Baguio City.
According to General Langub, even though the said training is not yet final, they already selected 100 schools around the Philippines for the pilot testing of the mandatory ROTC for senior high school. The Philippine Army will be in charge of the 52 schools since they are bigger in number while the remaining schools will be taken by Philippine Air Force and Philippine Navy.
“Pilot testing palang ito, [so] kailangan muna nating i-prove na very effective ito because we are changing the program of instruction (POI) kasi [nga] luma na ‘yong puro martsa-martsa, puro takbo-takbo. Kahit sinong tanungin mo, ang alam nila is martsa because we are not serious before,” Langub said.
He also said that ROTC should be implemented because there is a need to have a strong reserve force that can mirror the regular forces and this training for senior high school should also be implemented not because AFP wants them to become soldiers but for them to become future leaders that has a military background
“Kung ano ang training ng mga regular forces [ay] ibibigay natin sa kanila because we wear the same uniform at yung risk of life na kanilang pinapakita is the same…they are heroes, they don’t receive salaries, but they continue wearing uniform, the same color as ours.”
When asked about the format of the training, Langub said that discussion and continuous meeting with the Department of Education is still ongoing, but he assured that AFP will strongly insist that the military training must be included in the DeEp curriculum.
Assistance from the government is expected for the implementation of mandatory ROTC for senior high school.
Meanwhile, 22 girls and 29 boys from the different provinces of the Cordillera are undertaking the 14-day ROTC Summer Camp Training (RSCT) at the headquarters of 14RCDG-Arescom at Baguio Athletic Bowl.
To Jovelyn Sambo, one of the trainees from Abra, this mandatory ROTC training is very beneficial. It helps them develop their skills, builds their confidence and it helps them to be a disciplined leader. ROMELO DUPO III, UC Intern / ABN