Solons differ on proposed mandatory ROTC in schools
A LADY senator opposed the revival of the Reserved Officer Training Corps (ROTC), which is being proposed to become “mandatory” in the first two years of schooling.
According to Senator Pia Cayetano, ROTC is “not the only best way to instill unity, camaraderie, and love for the country in Filipinos.”
“I would prefer that we continue to invest in the education of the youth for STEM-related (Science Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) courses where they could be able to develop our own strengths,” Cayetano said.
It was Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian’s proposal to make mandatory the first two years of schooling, which he said “to train our students with military discipline with military training. Embedded in that military training are basic survival skills as well as basic disaster preparedness skills as well as other skills,” Gatchalian said.
Once the proposals are passed into law, Gatchalian said the military will be assigned to impart discipline and training to Filipino students.
