AFP conducts ROTC symposium

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 27): AFP conducts ROTC symposium

In an effort to enhance the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Program and increase the number of its enrollees, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday conducted the ROTC Commandants’ Symposium at the AFP Commissioned Officers Club in Quezon City.

The AFP through the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Reservist and Retiree Affairs, J-9, invited officials from the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education, and selected National Service Training Program (NSTP) directors to participate in Thursday's activity.

The symposium focused on the current status of the ROTC Program implementation, best practices by the commandants, and updates on the DepEd’s K12 program and its effects on ROTC.

It also served as opportunity for different NSTP school administrators to give insights on how to enhance ROTC and develop creative ways to increase the number enrollees.

The Deputy Chief of Staff for Reservist and Retiree Affairs, Rear Admiral Romeo Santiago Nebres presided over the event.

The ROTC program is the main source of reservists in the AFP.

However, with the implementation of the NSTP Act of 2001 mandating the voluntary enrolment in the program, the number ROTC enrollees have since declined.

Based on recorded data, there was almost 50 percent decrease in the number of enrollees from over two million in 2001 to an estimated 950,000 in 2012.

The Constitution states that the preservation of the state is an obligation of every citizen.

The ROTC program is a good training program for our youths to prepare them in the fulfillment of this sacred duty.

The AFP on its part continues to encourage more youth to enroll in the ROTC program.

It is high time that we develop people who will willingly help us in the emerging threats of external aggression and natural calamities and disasters.

Through ROTC, the country will have trained men and women who can defend their country in times of war and crises; undertake disaster, relief and rescue operations and; assist in socio-economic development, and operate vital government and private installations in times of emergencies.

The ROTC Program promotes nationalism and patriotism among the youth and develops their sense of willingness to render active military service and civil services, either for peacetime, emergency or wartime missions.

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