Step Yes, Step No: The impression of Grades 11 and 12 students on possible

reimplementation of mandatory ROTC in Sto. Cristo National High School

Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

Lead, shoot, move, navigate, and communicate are the five fundamental skills to be trained in

basic Reserve Officer’s' Training Corps (ROTC) program (University of the Philippines

Diliman, n.d ). According to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr, it is a program that

has a goal to motivate, train, organize and mobilize Senior High school students in national

defense preparedness. It is one of the three components of National Service Training Program

(NSTP) including the Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS) which was instituted under

Republic Act (RA) No. 9163.

The first ROTC program in the Philippines was implemented in the University of the

Philippines (UP) in 1990 but was immediately revoked after the death of a student in

University of Santo Tomas (UST) named Mark Welson Chua on March 18, 2001. He was

killed by brutal hazing of his instructor and was found lifeless at the Pasig River. Because of

this, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed NSTP act to law as replacement for

mandatory ROTC on Jan. 23, 2002 (Argosino, 2022).

After 20 years, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos stated in his first State of the Nation

Address (SONA) that the mandatory ROTC is one of his priority bills. Many Senior High

school students reacted variously regarding this statement. Different students have their own

opinions and reasons in agreeing or disagreeing about this possible reinstitution.

Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this study is to know the impression of grades 11 and 12 students of Sto.

Cristo National High School (SCNHS) to the possible reimplementation of mandatory ROTC

and to gather the reasons that affected their decision. Also, to spread information and

awareness to the society about the students concerns regarding the program.

Conceptual Framework

This outline shows the framework of the study wherein the “Possible Reimplementation of

mandatory ROTC” is the core of this research and focuses in gathering the respondent's

perspective if either they agree or disagree to this mandatory program and their reasons why

they agree or not.

In understanding their opinions and thoughts, this research will raise and point out the views

and concerns of the Grades 11 and 12 students of Sto. Cristo National High School to aid the

growing issues in this program. Also, this will contain the discussion of "Mandatory ROTC's

Reality" by showing its truthful information and real meaning.

Image 1.1: Group A “Possible reimplementation of mandatory ROTC” Concept map

Theoretical Framework

This study is supported by the article of Barcelonia (2022) entitled, "6 out of 10 Filipinos

want the mandatory ROTC in senior high school," where Gatchalian stated that 69 percent of

Filipinos agreeing to the proposed implementation of the mandatory ROTC in senior high

school that resulted from the survey he commissioned Pulse Asia. Their conducted survey

gave 71 percent of agreeing results in the National Capital Region (NCR), 78 percent in

Visayas, 67 percent in Luzon and 64 percent in Mindanao. While 18 percent of disagreeing

results in the NCR, 11 percent in Visayas, 16 percent in Luzon and 21 percent in the

Mindanao. And 10 percent of abstain or undecided in NCR,11 percent in Luzon, 17 percent

in Visayas and 15 percent in Mindanao. In sum, 6 out of 10 Filipinos supports the

reimplementation of mandatory ROTC. This output is related in our study as it gives the

perception of Filipinos in a percent total form about the mandatory ROTC.

Statement of the problem

1. What is the impression of the Grades 11 and 12 students on the possible

reimplementation of the mandatory ROTC?

2. What are the variables that affect the student’s decision-making ?

3. Will the reimplementation of this course be beneficial to the student or may be a

hindrance in their study?

4. What adjustments to the ROTC curriculum may the students propose for the possible

reimplementation of the course as mandatory?

5. Is the re-enforcement of the mandated ROTC relevant to the current situation of the

Philippines?
Hypothesis/Assumption

This research assumes that the concerns and thoughts of the Grade 11 and 12 students at

SCNHS about the possible reimplementation of mandatory ROTC will be fairly laid out and

tackled thoroughly. Furthermore, this research concludes to give useful information about the

ROTC and to clear the misconception of the people about the said course.

If this research becomes successful, then the government may be able to benefit from hearing

what the people have to say about it and make the necessary changes to the program's system

for the students who will undergo the program.

Role of the Researcher

In this qualitative study, the researchers will be considered as an instrument of data

collection. This indicates that the data are mediated through human instruments or actual

interviews while utilizing papers or questionnaires. To fulfill this role, the researchers of this

study will strive to impartially treat the data that will be gathered, avoid biases, and maintain

the researchers' professionalism. In addition, the researchers will spread the concerns,

notions, and thoughts of the Grade 11 students on the possible implementation of the

mandatory ROTC to the community

Scope and Limitations

The data of the study will be gathered by interviewing both Grade 11 and 12 students of Sto.

Cristo National High School (SCNHS) which are involved if the possible mandatory ROTC

will be reimplemented. The data collection will be conducted to 40 Senior High School
(SHS) students of SCNHS: there will be 20 students to be interviewed in each year level

(Grade 11 and 12) consisting of 4 students per strand.

Furthermore, this study aims to state the opinions and different perspectives of SHS students

of SCNHS towards the possible reimplementation of ROTC. In addition, this study will

discuss the reasons why the respondents agree or disagree and their concerns regarding the

mandatory course.

Significance of the study

This study is essential because it can provide additional information and knowledge for

learners, teachers, and parents who are confused about what the mandatory ROTC program

meaning and its purpose. It can also be used to determine if the students at Sto. Cristo

National High School (SCNHS) are aware and ready to the possible reimplementation of the

program. Moreover, it will be beneficial to the following:

School Administration and people who will reimplement the ROTC. It can be used by the

authorities to provide further information about the school and the Senior High School

(Grade 11 and 12) students who are subjects of the ROTC program. They will be informed if

the students of SCNHS are ready to undergo the program and if the students are informed

regarding the mandatory program.

Readers. This study can help the reader's by providing further explanation about the meaning,

the purpose, benefits, and disadvantages of reimplementing program.

Future Researchers. Other scholars can use this as a model or guide to add to the body of

knowledge, the findings of this research may be used as a basis or reference in the related

study they are conducting.

Definition of terms

NSTP or the National Service Training Program - is a program aimed at enhancing civic

consciousness and defense preparedness in the youth by developing the ethic of service and

patriotism while undergoing training in any of its three (3) program components.

ROTC or Reserve Officer Training Corps- is a program that consists of military instruction

through training, interviews, and physical training located on many campuses across the

country.

Mandatory- required by law or rules.