For easier deployment in the event the law enforcers or the military needs augmentation force in times of disaster or war, Negros Oriental Third District Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. proposed that the Reserve Officers Training Corps would again be made mandatory for students in senior high school.

"The State must once again make mandatory the enrollment of all students in Grades 11 and 12 in ROTC for our country to have sufficient reserve officers to call to render military service when warranted by national circumstance, whether as in response to any national security threat or national emergency," Teves said.

House Bill 4500 or the ROTC Act of 2022 is a proposed measure mandating the institutionalization of the basic ROTC course in Grades 11 and 12 in all educational institutions in the country.

The measure also seeks to enhance the capacity of the State to produce the needed manpower and to extend its human resources in times of war, calamities, disasters, and national or local emergencies.

He also said that under HB 4500, enrolled in public and private educational institutions. It would form part of all baccalaureate degree courses and two year technical or vocational courses as a requisite for graduation.

"It is the policy of the State to call upon its citizens to defend the nation and in fulfillment thereof, all citizens may be required to render personal, military or civil service," Teves said.

The Department of National Defense will be tasked to prescribe a training program for ROTC. Universities, colleges and similar learning institutions would coordinate with the DND for the conduct of military training in their respective schools.

Graduates from the basic ROTC training course and advance ROTC program may, subject to existing laws, policy or regulation, be eligible for commissionship or lateral entry and enlistment in the Armed Forces, Philippine National Police, Coast Guard, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and the Bureau of Fire Protection.

To recall, the ROTC was abolished a few years back due to several controversial issues hounding its leadership.

The measure also seeks the establishment of an independent ROTC Grievance and Ethics Board to oversee and receive any complaint from the students. The board would be composed of a representative from the DND, one from DepEd, a representative from the School and a representative from the Parents Teachers Association, or any similar organization.