Next Generation Soldiers

The positive response of DepEd to propose mandatory ROTC program for Senior High School as
expressed by DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones in a press conference on May 22, 2019 created a hope
and opportunity to reconstitute the negative attitudes of “incoming leaders” of our country and to build
a sense of patriotism among students.

The bill requiring the mandatory ROTC for Grade 11 and 12 students were already approved by
the House of Representatives on third and final reading on Monday. With the approval of the said bill,
the DepEd is expected to be “more involved” in the implementation. Among its important features, is
the “expanded role” of Deped in the curriculum as well as in the monitoring process, according to Deped
Secretary Leonor Briones.

According to Education Undersecretary for Administration Alain Del Pascua, even if the bill was
already passed into law, still the program will undergo a two-year pilot implementation, and around 100
schools (volunteer private and public schools) will be tapped for the pilot run. Moreover, several
mechanisms how to deter abuses have been proposed to Senate to safeguard the welfare of the
students.

However, the league of Filipino Students (LFS) considered the program as an “attack” against the
Filipino youth. They said that the program was a tactic of Duterte Administration to generate more blind
followers of its fascist and violent regime. It is one way to silence the Filipino Youth who were
condemning the administration’s attack in our human rights.

But on the bright side, with the worsening crime rate involving the minors and youth, the
program is a good way to teach the students on how to follow the rules and regulations as well as how
to become a responsible citizen. If we put it into consideration, the disciplinary trainings of the program
can mould the behaviour and attitude of the future leaders of our country. Truth be told, it is indeed
discipline that highly needed among us with the sense of patriotism to the country and not a sense of
loyalty to those in the higher position. With the deep-rooted patriotism, our eyes will be open on what is
the need of our country and it is not only to follow rules but to change our attitude positively. Therefore,
our students can truly be called the next generation soldiers of our country. #