Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian. Nestor Corrales/INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian lauded President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday for pushing for the revival of the mandatory Reserve Officers Training Course (ROTC) in colleges and universities, saying that the program is a “powerful means” to instill patriotism among the youth.
“ROTC is a powerful means of instilling patriotism and discipline in the youth of this nation. I fully support the Duterte administration’s drive to reinstate mandatory ROTC in all colleges and universities,” Gatchalian said in a statement.
The senator was reacting to Malacañang’s reported plan to send to Congress a draft legislation reinstating mandatory ROTC.
READ: Palace to push for revival of compulsory ROTC for college students
Reviving mandatory ROTC would also “shore up” the country’s defense capabilities, said Gatchalian, who has filed Senate Bill 200 or the Mandatory ROTC Act.
The bill, he said, would require all students enrolled in colleges, universities and technical and vocational schools to undergo a two-year military and civic training while completing their studies.
Gatchalian, a staunch supporter of the program since he was a congressman, explained that building a strong military reservist would be essential in enhancing the country’s defense amid mounting tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
READ: Bill filed reviving ROTC for college students
“Mandatory ROTC will help shore up the ranks of our military in the face of continued aggression by regional rivals. We must be prepared to defend Philippine sovereignty at all costs,” said the senator. Jaehwa Bernardo, INQUIRER.net trainee/RAM/rga