SUC, LUC students may be first to take mandatory ROTC–Ched

AN official of the Commission on Higher Education (Ched) on Sunday said participation in the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) may be made mandatory to students of state universities and colleges (SUCs) as well as local universities and colleges (LUCs) nationwide.

Even Ched Executive Director Julito Vitriolo, who earlier opposed the proposal for mandatory ROTC as proposed by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, said: “Puwede siguro ang mandatory ROTC training sa mga SUCs at LUCs kasi operated ito ng national at local governments.”

Vitriolo said he prefers the present National Service Training Program (NSTP) to ROTC.

Gazmin is proposing the implementation of the mandatory ROTC in all 1,758 colleges and universities.

There are about 110 SUCs and 77 LUCs all over the country.

“Ang position ng CHED sa usaping iyan ay huwag gawing mandatory, dapat may choices ang mga estudyante kung ano ang gusto nila, kung military training o iyong sa kasalukuyang programa ng National Service Training Program,” he said.

Vitriolo said the current setup under the NSTP provides students with much more “varied exposure” compared with the “limited” content if only military training were offered.

The NSTP is a curriculum requirement for all college students under Republic Act  9163. The law provides an opportunity for the youth to directly contribute in nation-building.

Under the program, college students have the option to take ROTC or Civic Welfare Service Training Service  or Literacy Training System.

The ROTC program, which was introduced to the Philippines during American colonial rule, was made optional in 2002 following the death of University of Santo Tomas  student and ROTC cadet Mark Chua, who was allegedly killed by his course advisers after reportedly exposing mismanagement of funds supposedly alloted for the course.

Gazmin said he is in favor of reviving the mandatory ROTC, which he said will not only instill discipline among college students but will also augment the country’s military forces, especially in times of emergencies.

The military, through its spokesman, Brig. General Jose Mabanta, said it will recommend to Congress the revival of mandatory ROTC.

Mabanta said the military considers ROTC as “vital” in providing reserve forces that can be readily mobilized in case of emergencies or calamities.

As to Chua’s death, he said the Armed Forces can prevent similar incidents from occurring during the revival of the ROTC by choosing “better personnel” to handle the course. –C. Mocon, Businessmirror