DND chief lauds support to mandatory ROTC

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MANILA — Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Monday expressed appreciation to the unequivocal support of the UP Vanguard, Inc., Pasig Chapter for the reinstatement of basic mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program for senior high school students.

In a meeting with representatives of the group at the DND Building in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, Lorenzana highlighted the importance of instilling the love of country in the hearts and minds of the Filipino youth.

Also, members of the association expressed optimism for the implementation of the program when the law is passed and the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) are crafted.

They also presented to the DND chief their manifesto of support for the implementation of mandatory basic ROTC in Grades 11 and 12 particularly on the development of IRR, plan, and budget, and the training of human resources.

The UP Vanguard Inc. is the alumni association of graduates of the University of the Philippines ROTC.

“ROTC is a complete package. It has a specific method of instructions, not just the POI (Program of Instruction). We should take advantage of the program,” said Mark N. Javier, a former UVPI National Commander.

The proposed POI of the mandatory basic ROTC program will precisely focus on promoting patriotism and good citizenship, with topics on Philippine society and culture, human rights and gender sensitivity, environmental advocacy, disaster risk reduction and management, community service, national security, discipline, and leadership.

It will also teach important life skills such as first aid, map reading, mountaineering, water training, and signal communication, individual military orientation, marksmanship, small unit tactics and drills and ceremonies among other related subjects.

Lorenzana stressed that ROTC “envisions to instill discipline and sense of purpose; respect for the laws and the authorities; and obedience to rules and regulations to students in a military training environment.”