A Future Worth Defending; Why the ROTC Program Matters

By Sherman Calotes | Philippine People's Press 

As a concerned citizen and a Journalist, I express my unwavering support for the revival and Strengthening of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program in the Philippines. For me, ROTC is more than just a military training course it is a vital step toward preparing the Filipino youth to become responsible, disciplined, and patriotic citizens who are ready to serve the nation in times of need.

Recently, the tragic road Accident in Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur involving several ROTC cadets shook our hearts and opened a national conversation. These students, coming from Sindangan, were bound for their ROTC training in Pagadian City when their bus met an accident, injuring many and causing widespread concern. But even in this tragedy, the spirit of dedication among these young cadets shines through they were on their way to train, to serve, and to learn. Their commitment is something that should not be taken lightly. Instead, it must inspire all of us to recognize the importance of this program.

The ROTC program, first introduced in 1935, has been a fundamental component of youth training in civic responsibility, leadership, disaster preparedness, and national defense. It instills discipline, builds resilience, and nurtures a deep love for the country. It is not a call to war it is a call to readiness, to citizenship, and to national service.

I fully support the passage of Senate Bill No. 2034, authored by Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, which seeks to institutionalize the mandatory ROTC program for senior high school students. This proposed law aims to reintroduce ROTC in Grades 11 and 12, not as a militaristic burden, but as a structured learning experience that promotes nationalism, preparedness, and civic duty.

Critics argue that ROTC promotes militarism but I believe that the greater danger lies in a generation that is unprepared to face emergencies, indifferent to national concerns, and disconnected from the responsibilities of citizenship. We must not forget that our region and our nation have endured both natural disasters and internal threats. In such times, we rely on disciplined and trained individuals to rise to the occasion not just soldiers, but civilians who understand order, responsibility, and leadership.

Our youth are the hope of the nation, and we must empower them. ROTC is one way of doing that. We need a generation that is not just tech-savvy and academically intelligent, but also physically prepared, morally grounded, and committed to protecting what we have as a free and sovereign nation.

Let us take the lessons from Dumingag not as a reason to abandon the program, but as a reason to strengthen the safety, logistics, and implementation of ROTC. Let us honor the sacrifices and aspirations of those young cadets by making the program more effective, inclusive, and responsive to today’s realities.

I support ROTC to make our youth ready for a better future and ready to defend our country. National defense is not only the job of the military it is the shared responsibility of every citizen. Let us invest in our future defenders today, by equipping them not only with knowledge but with the discipline and courage that ROTC can instill.

Philippine People's Press | In Truth We Prevail