Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Friday, 14 October expressed his support for the reintroduction of Reserve Officers’ Training Corps in schools, saying that reserve units of the program can play a significant role in bayanihan efforts during disasters and other crisis situations.
Go said that, if necessary, the ROTC could be called into action to support regular military troops engaged in, among other tasks, operations during natural disasters.
Go’s pronouncements came after the United Nations reported this week that despite the rise in catastrophic weather and natural disasters, half of the countries in the world lack sophisticated early warning systems required to save lives.
According to a recent assessment by the UN agencies for weather and disaster risk reduction, countries with weak early warning systems experience eight times more disaster-related deaths than those with effective safeguards.
The Philippines is positioned along the so-called “Pacific Ring of Fire,” an area where earthquakes and volcanic activities are more frequent than in any other part of the world. The country also fronts the Pacific Ocean, exposing it to a high number of typhoons and related weather disturbances annually.
Go noted that students who wish to give back to their communities and country may do so through participating in the ROTC.
Go then asked the government and those in favor of bringing back ROTC in schools to carefully consider all options, including whether it should be mandatory or optional.
He maintained, however, that joining the ROTC is a good approach for young people to help their country since it will instill in them a sense of discipline and patriotism.
Meanwhile, the senator, who is also the chair of the Senate Committee on Health, reminded Filipinos to remain vigilant against the Covid-19 virus by following health protocols and getting vaccinated.
In an ambush interview after personally aiding senior citizens in Davao City, Go continues to urge Filipinos to follow health guidelines and receive Covid-19 vaccinations, including booster shots. To prevent the virus from spreading, he also advised them to wear masks whenever possible
This week, the World Health Organization and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control also reported that another wave of infections may have started in Europe as cases begin to rise again across the continent.