By GENALYN D. KABILING
MANILA, Philippines --- Concerned by the dwindling number of military reserves, President Benigno S. Aquino III yesterday encouraged the Filipino college students to enroll in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program to help in the country’s security operations and territorial defense.
The President however stopped short of making the ROTC program mandatory again even as he highlighted the role of reserve forces during the 17th national convention of the National ROTC Alumni Association (NARAA) in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
Aquino, in his speech, emphasized that the ROTC program seeks to train the youth to become civic or military leaders whom could be called upon in cases the services are needed.
“With the drop in the number of enrollees in our ROTC program, it is important to encourage our youth to be part of the ROTC program,” the President said in Filipino.
“The ROTC program reminds the youth about their duty to the flag and their countrymen. It also instills in the minds and hearts about the obligation to defend the country’s sovereignty and uphold our territorial integrity,” he said.
The President also asked the NARAA to promote the ROTC and serve as examples to persuade students to join the program.
Aquino pointed out that the number of enrollees of the ROTC program has declined since the ROTC was an optional program in colleges and universities.
There were only 150,000 enrollees in ROTC in 2011, compared to the more than 8000,000 students from 1999 to 2000, he said.
In 2011, he said only 500 colleges and universities now offer ROTC program to students. “This was a huge drop from the 2,000 schools that offered the ROTC program before the National Service Training Program was implemented,” he said.
The ROTC program became a component of the National Service Training Program (NSTP) since 2001. The two other components of the program are Civil Welfare Training Service and Literacy Training Service.
Despite the dwindling number of military reservists, the President emphasized that the quantity is not the sole factor to ensure the protection of the country. He cited that there should also be stronger military coordination, sufficient weapons and equipment and love for country.
In the same event, Aquino also thanked the ROTC graduates for helping protect the country’s democracy and sovereignty in the past two decades. He also praised the alumni for investing blood, sweat and time during their intense training in preparation for their enlistment.
“The ROTC program provides military training to college students to give them skills and expertise in preparation of defending the country. In other words, our countrymen will be the ones to stand up and fight the enemies especially if our democracy is in danger,” he said.
He also thanked the military reservists for their assistance in disaster management, relief and rescue and implementation of peace and security plans.
MANILA, Philippines --- Concerned by the dwindling number of military reserves, President Benigno S. Aquino III yesterday encouraged the Filipino college students to enroll in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program to help in the country’s security operations and territorial defense.
The President however stopped short of making the ROTC program mandatory again even as he highlighted the role of reserve forces during the 17th national convention of the National ROTC Alumni Association (NARAA) in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
Aquino, in his speech, emphasized that the ROTC program seeks to train the youth to become civic or military leaders whom could be called upon in cases the services are needed.
“With the drop in the number of enrollees in our ROTC program, it is important to encourage our youth to be part of the ROTC program,” the President said in Filipino.
“The ROTC program reminds the youth about their duty to the flag and their countrymen. It also instills in the minds and hearts about the obligation to defend the country’s sovereignty and uphold our territorial integrity,” he said.
The President also asked the NARAA to promote the ROTC and serve as examples to persuade students to join the program.
Aquino pointed out that the number of enrollees of the ROTC program has declined since the ROTC was an optional program in colleges and universities.
There were only 150,000 enrollees in ROTC in 2011, compared to the more than 8000,000 students from 1999 to 2000, he said.
In 2011, he said only 500 colleges and universities now offer ROTC program to students. “This was a huge drop from the 2,000 schools that offered the ROTC program before the National Service Training Program was implemented,” he said.
The ROTC program became a component of the National Service Training Program (NSTP) since 2001. The two other components of the program are Civil Welfare Training Service and Literacy Training Service.
Despite the dwindling number of military reservists, the President emphasized that the quantity is not the sole factor to ensure the protection of the country. He cited that there should also be stronger military coordination, sufficient weapons and equipment and love for country.
In the same event, Aquino also thanked the ROTC graduates for helping protect the country’s democracy and sovereignty in the past two decades. He also praised the alumni for investing blood, sweat and time during their intense training in preparation for their enlistment.
“The ROTC program provides military training to college students to give them skills and expertise in preparation of defending the country. In other words, our countrymen will be the ones to stand up and fight the enemies especially if our democracy is in danger,” he said.
He also thanked the military reservists for their assistance in disaster management, relief and rescue and implementation of peace and security plans.
