The Philippine Army assured its personnel who are set to handle Reserve Officers Training Corps programs in higher educational institutions went through a complete and immense instructor’s training.
Maj. Gen. Fernando Felipe, Reserve Command, Philippine Army Commander, said these personnel will serve as “model instructors” for ROTC cadets.
“The ROTC instructors have undergone Instructors Development Training and a series of seminars and workshops geared at broadening and honing their skills,’’ he explained in a statement.
Felipe said around 400 colleges and universities nationwide have already offered ROTC programs within their academic institution.
“The number is expected to increase with the proposed revival of mandatory ROTC that has gained traction with the initiative of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte,” he added.
Discussions on the mandatory ROTC program resurfaced after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged Congress to pass a legislation that will institutionalize the program in the senior high school level during his first State of the Nation Address 25.
Marcos sees the ROTC program will “motivate, train, organize, and mobilize the students” for national defense preparedness, including disaster preparedness and capacity building for risk-related situations.