A large majority of the Filipino people favor the restoration of mandatory military training in colleges and universities as shown by a Pulse Asia Survey.
The research, commissioned by the office of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian indicated that eight out of ten respondents were for the return of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) as an academic requirement for higher education.
The survey, conducted last March 15 to 19, covering 1,200 respondents nationwide, also revealed that the highest percentage of those in favor of mandatory ROTC was recorded in Mindanao at 92 percent, followed by the Visayas with 80 percent, the National Capital Region (NCR) with 77 percent, and Luzon with 72 percent.
Only 13 percent were opposed to the ROTC, while eight percent were undecided. The rest said they don’t have enough knowledge on the subject to give an educated opinion.
Most of the pros (71 percent) said they believe that the ROTC would instill the values of discipline and responsibility among the youth, while 60 percent said it would prepare the students to defend the country, and 59 percent asserted that the ROTC will teach them leadership skills.
The survey also showed that 52 percent of those in favor believed that ROTC it will teach the youth the value of teamwork, while 40 percent said it will improve the youth’s physical fitness.
Meanwhile, 35 percent of those in favor of mandatory ROTC also said it will make young people become patriotic.
“It is clear that our people support the restoration of the ROTC is schools, said Gatchalian, co-author of Senate Bill No. 2034 or the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Act. “That is why we will keep pushing for this bill’s passage into law because this will teach our youth discipline, love of country and readiness to help amid disasters,” he added.
The measure 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.
The mandatory ROTC program in college was abolished in 2001 due to the hazing death of cadet Mark Welson Chua of the University of Santo Tomas. It was then replaced with the National Service Training Program where students can choose one of three options: ROTC, Literacy Training Service and Civic Welfare Training Service.
On the other hand, 75 percent of the 13 percent anti-ROTC claimed that they are opposed to the measure due to possible rise in cases of abuse, harassment, and hazing of the cadets.
Majority of the opposition also believe that mandatory ROTC was just a waste of time and an extra burden for the students, not to mention potential health problems and corruption in the schools.
Gatchalian maintained however, that the proposed has safety nets such as the Grievance Board that 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 same Pulse Asia poll allows for a 95 percent level of confidence with a margin of error of plus/minus 3 percent at the national level and plus/minus 6 percent at the geographic area level.
Senator Ronald dela Rosa has taken to the Senate floor the controversial bill to revive the compulsory ROTC program.
He cited the need to mandate military training for the youth to ensure they are “fully equipped to heed the call to defend the nation when the need arises.”
He pointed out ROTC is not just an academic requirement but a standardized way to be one with the community.
“More than the threats of invasion or calamities, we may not realize that the country has been defeated and crippled by apathy,” Dela Rosa said.