The proposed two-year mandatory basic ROTC program includes military exercises will help every

individual to develop discipline which contributes on developing well-trained military personnel.

However, in senior high school, students are more inclined on focusing more on their studies to be able
to achieve what they want in the future. In this situation, how can we be so sure that this program won't
affect the student’s health in both physical and mental health, and the student’s academic performance?

Another is that, according to House Bill 8961 which seeks to amend the purpose of Republic Act 7077 or
the Citizen Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Act. Under the proposed measure, ROTC training is
said to be applied to “all students in Grades 11 and 12 in all senior high schools in public and private
educational institutions and it shall be a requirement for graduation. In this case if the program would
be a requirement for graduation, this may only expose students in corruption. For example, a student
could pay the ROTC commandant with huge amount of money so that he will be exempted on that area.

Aside from that, we are also concerned over the funding and logistical requirements in making ROTC
mandatory. There are around 11,000 high schools in the country. How do we overcome the financial
burden of institutionalizing ROTC in all these high schools? How can we assure the public of proper
implementation when we can barely sustain our K to 12 program?

According to Gatchalian, there will be 38 Billion Peso budget for ROTC Mandatory Program but instead
of forming a large reservits of warriors, why don't we use that budget to improve our military forces and
equipment? With the improved military forces and equipment, I don't think our country will be easy to
invade. There goes a saying that quality over quantity is much better.

Furthermore, this program violates the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention on the
Rights of the Child, a protocol to which the Philippines is a party. Most students enrolled in Grades 11
and 12 are 16 to 17-year-olds. The protocol we are party to, ensures that persons who have not attained
the age of 18 years old are not compulsorily recruited into the armed forces. Since the AFP is also
composed of a citizens’ armed force which shall undergo military training, we would be violating our
international commitment if we compulsorily recruit into the reserved forces those who are not of the
age of majority.

These are the reasons why ROTC should not be mandatory for senior high school. Students must be
given options of how to fulfill their socio-civic responsibilities to the country. Love of country and the
defense of its sovereignty can take many forms. It can take the form of active citizenship and
volunteerism in the deployment of social welfare services, teaching literacy and numeracy skills to
schoolchildren.