Criminology Department

Estenias Science Foundation School, Inc.

Maharlika Highway Brgy Tulay, Casiguran Sorsogon

THE IMPLEMENTATION OF MANDATORY ROTC IN ESTENIAS SCIENCE

FOUNDATION SCHOOL , INC.: AN ASSESSMENT

An Undergraduate Criminological Research

Estenias Science Foundation School, Inc.
Casiguran, Sorsogon

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

for the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Criminology

By:
KATRINA B. PACIFIC
JHON PATRICK E. DOCOT
LITO C. BRIN
JEROME PASCUAL D. GOSGOLAN

2023-2024
 CHAPTER I

INTRODCTION

Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) is one of three components of

the National Service Training Program  in the Philippines as the civic education and

defense preparedness program for Filipino college students in the country. ROTC

program aims at providing military education and training for students in order to

mobilize them for national defense preparedness. One of its specific objectives

include preparation of college students for service in the Armed Forces of the

Philippines in the future and  in the event of an emergency as a reservists and a

potential commissioned officers of the AFP namely Philippine Army(PA), Philippine

Navy(PN) and/or Philippine Air Force(PAF).

Surprisingly, ROTC graduates of the officer candidate schools of the various

services in 2008 constituted roughly 75% of the AFP officer corps. The government

grants qualified student-cadets scholarship benefits through a merit-based incentive

program in return for an obligation of military service in the reserve force or active

duty in the AFP if given the opportunity after completion of the course.

Moreover, ROTC student-cadets attend college like other students but also

receive basic military training and officer training from the branch of service that

handles their school's ROTC unit. The students participate in regular ROTC

instruction during the school year (one school year for Basic ROTC student-cadets

and three school years for Advance ROTC cadet-officers), and extended training
activities during the summer, such as the ROTC Summer Camp Training (RSCT) and

the Advance ROTC Academic Phase Training (ARAPT).

ROTC units in colleges and universities are organized through the

Department of Military Science and Tactics (DMST) which is under joint supervision

by the school administration and the Department of National Defense. These ROTC

units are in turn managed by active duty officers of the AFP and the reservist

organization representatives of the major services, the Philippine Army Reserve

Command of the Philippine Army, the Philippine Navy Reserve Command of

the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Air Force Reserve Command of

the Philippine Air Force.

An Estenias Science Foundation School (ESFS), ROTC is being implemented.

Researchers theorized that the implementation of mandatory ROTC poses

advantages and disadvantages to students. Advantages includes students to become

responsible citizens and leaders, providing military training, enhancing national

security and preparedness, cultivating teamwork and unity, promoting discipline

and patriotism, and being eligible for scholarship grant . However, there are certain

disadvantages that researchers tend to observe regarding the implementation of

mandatory ROTC. These includes the added burden of extra classes and

responsibilities, the potential compulsion for students to enlist as soldiers, the risk

of insubordination from junior cadets towards senior cadets, the possibility of

failing the ROTC class, susceptibility to hazing, and the challenge of balancing
commitments to the ROTC program and scholarship obligations. Thus, the

researchers aimed at conducting this study to investigate on the likelihood of the

students and and their parents on the mandatory implementation of ROTC and

solicit perception among them regarding the mentioned advantages and

disadvantages. Upon examining of the possible result of the conduct of this study,

the researchers will seek appropriate solution and action at improving the

implementation of mandatory ROTC in this institution paricularly in mitigating and

addressing its disadvantages to students.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

 To establish the advantages and disadvantages of implementing mandatory

ROTC in Estenias Science Foundation School, Inc. : an Assessment

 To determine the Rules and Regulation of implementing mandatory ROTC in

Estenias Science Foundation School Inc. : an Assessment

 Alternatives for disadvantages of the implementing mandatory ROTC in

Estenias Science Foundation School, Inc. : an Assessment

 To evaluate the effectiveness of mandatory ROTC and to increase the students

awareness with regards to the implementation of mandatory ROTC in Estenias

Science Foundation School, Inc. : an Assessment

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This study aims to determine the advantages and disadvantage of

implementing Mandatory ROTC in Estenias Science Foundation School INC. as

Assessment.

Specifically, this seeks to find answer to the following problems:

1. What is the profile of the respondent in terms of:

1.1 Student

a. Age;

b. Sex;

c. Course;

1.2 Parent

a. Age;

b. Sex;

c. Educational Attainment;

1.3 School Administrator

a. Age;

b. Sex,

c. Occupation;

2. What are the advantages and disadvantage of implementing Mandatory

ROTC in Estenias Science Foundation School INC. as Assessment?

 3. What are the alternatives that can be offered by the respondent for

disadvantage of implementing Mandatory ROTC in Estenias Science

Foundation School, Inc. :as Assessment?

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study is considered of great importance to the following beneficiaries:

Respondents – they are the students of Estenias Science Foundation School INC;

this study will serve as enlightenment for them to be more aware of the advantages

and disadvantage of implementing Mandatory ROTC in Estenias Science Foundation

School INC. as Assessment. This will enable them to take into actions those solutions

offered and to be able to contribute in the successful implementation of Mandatory

ROTC.

Armed Forces of the Philippines – findings of this study will serve as a guide and

reference for them to effectively implement Mandatory ROTC, considering the

advantages and disadvantage of implementing Mandatory ROTC in Estenias Science

Foundation School INC. as Assessment

School Administrator – this study will provide data and information for them to

advantages and disadvantage of implementing Mandatory ROTC in Estenias Science

Foundation School INC. as Assessment and use these to properly orient Estenias

Science Foundation School INC students.

Future researchers – this will enable to serve as future reference and resources of

their study and additional information for a more effective research.

SCOPE AND DELIMITATIONS

The study focused on the perception of implementing Mandatory ROTC to

Estenias Science Foundation School, Inc. The proposed respondents of this study

are the students who are taking ROTC and currently enrolled in Estenias Science

Foundation School, Inc. For the school year 2023-2024. The researcher chooses 100

student – respondents drawn from the total population of the school to fulfill this

research study and to obtain information. There will be 100 questionnaire that are

distributed to them with 100% retrieval. The study aims to determine the

advantages and disadvantages of implementing Mandatory ROTC in Estenias

Science Foundation School INC. : an Assessment.

SETTINGS OF THE STUDY

This study was undertaken in Estenias Science Foundation school, Inc.

Located at Maharlika Highway Brgy Tulay Casiguran Sorsogon. This school is the

most appropriate ground to conduct the study , because Estenias is one of the

schools who implement mandatory ROTC .

STUDY SITE

Location of the study

Figure 1
BRIEF HISTORY

Before the Estenias Science Foundation School was introduced in the late

70’s Dr. Estelita Francisco-Hibo and Dr. Ananias Brenches Hibo Sr. owned the HIBO

medical Center in Casiguran province of Sorsogon. The name ESTENIAS was the

combination of first name of the couples which “ESTE” from Estelita and “NIAS”

from Ananias that is why their kin considered ESTENIAS was a love team.

In the year of 1970 when Estenias Science Foundation School was

established by the couple for the LOVE and CARE of the community and the service

for the Filipino people. This love and care for the community later expanded when

Dr. Ananias B. Hibo was appointed as OIC Mayor of the Casiguran in 1986-1987. His

legacy as politician well be remembered as he established the Community Wet

Market of the municipality and the Water Systems of the municipality which later

on reaches other municipality such as Juban, Gubat and Sorsogon City. He also

considered during that year as the oldest person to graduate the Bachelor of Laws at

the age of 81.

THE CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

The conceptual paradigm collected in Figure I present the input, process and

output of the study.

Block 1 (Input) > Includes the profile of the respondents such as Age, Sex, Course,

Occupation, Educational Attainment, What is the advantages and disadvantage of

implementing Mandatory ROTC in Estenias Science Foundation School INC. as

assessment, and What are the solutions that can be offered by the respondent to

abate the disadvantage of implementing Mandatory ROTC in Estenias Science

Foundation School, Inc. :as Assessment?

Block 2 (Process) > The process consists of survey questionnaire, distribution of

questionnaire, interview, tabulation data, and statistical analysis and interpretation

of the gathered data.

Block 3 (Output)> The output which is The Implementation of Mandatory ROTC at

Estenias Science Foundation School Inc. These findings highlight the positive

outcomes and benefits that have been achieved through the implementation of the

program.

To complete the process, a feedback mechanism is employed to correct

whatever changes are made in the process.

 Input Process
1. Survey
1. What is the profile of the Questionnaire
respondent in terms of:
1.1 Student 2. Distribution of
a. Age; questionnaire
b. Sex;
c. Course; 3. Interview
1.2 Parent 4. Tabulation Data
a. Age;
b. Sex; 5. Statistical Analysis
c. Educational Attainment;
1.3 School Administrator 6. Interpretation of
a. Age; Data
b. Sex,
c. Occupation;
2. What are the advantages
and disadvantage of
implementing Mandatory
ROTC in Estenias Science
Foundation School INC. as Output
Assessment?
3. What are the alternatives The Implementation of
that can be offered by the Mandatory ROTC at
respondent for Estenias Science
disadvantage of Foundation School Inc.
implementing Mandatory highlight the positive
ROTC in Estenias Science outcomes and benefits
Foundation School, Inc. :as that have been achieved
Assessment? through the
implementation of the
program.

Feedback

Conceptual Paradigm

Figure 2
Definition of Terms

The researcher clarify some terms to have a better understanding and for

the benefit of the readers and to the recipients of this study.

Advantages – A condition or circumstance that puts one in a favorable or superior

position.

Disadvantages – This signifies the shortcomings or negative factors of mandatory

ROTC.

Mandatory - Required by law or mandate; compulsory.

Implementation- The process of putting a decision or plan into effect; execution.

Patriotism - the quality of being patriotic; devotion to and vigorous support for

one's country.

Respondents – An individual who takes part or replies to something such as survey

or set of questions.

ROTC – Refers to Reserve Officers' Training Corps. one of three components of

the National Service Training Program.

NSTP - Refers to National Service Training Program that aimed at enhancing civic

consciousness and defense preparedness in the youth by developing the ethics of

service and patriotism while undergoing training in any of its three (3) program
components. Its various components are specially designed to enhance the youth’s

active contribution to the general welfare.

LTS - Refers to Literacy Training Service is a program designed to train students to

become teachers of literacy and numeracy skills to school children, out of school

youth, and other segments of society in need of their service.

CWTS- Refers to Civic Welfare Training Service the programs or activities

contributory to the general welfare and the betterment of life for the members of

the community or the enhancement of its facilities, especially those devoted to

improving health, education, environment, entrepreneurship, safety, recreation and

morals of the citizenry.

 Chapter 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Presented in this chapter

are foreign and local
literatures and studies
gathered from online
resources used by the
researchers in the pursuit of
this
paper in order to have a more
accurate study. This helped
the researchers have
a better understanding and a
wider perspective on this issu
Presented in this chapter are studies gathered from online and other

resources used by the researchers in order to have a more accurate data related to
the conduct of this study. This will definitely help the researchers have a better

understanding and a wider perspective on this issue.

The establishment of the Reserve Officers Training Corps or student

military training service in different countries has three foremost objectives. Among

these are to allow students to grasp basic military skills, familiarize military

theories, and enhance their understanding of defense and consciousness of

national security.

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9163 retrieved from

https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2002/01/23/republic-act-no-9163/

(AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM (NSTP)

FOR TERTIARY LEVEL STUDENTS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC

ACT NO. 7077 AND PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1706, AND FOR OTHER

PURPOSES ) Republic Act No. 9163 or the National Service Training Program

(NSTP) Act promulgated in 2001 and implemented in 2002 primarily aim to

enhance civic consciousness and defense preparedness among higher education and

technical-vocational students through the development of the ethics of service and

patriotism as expressions of love of people and country in their cognitive and

affective learning

domains. This undertaking is designed for both male and female students as a one

year or two-semester program with a total of six-unit credits. Such law comprises

three areas for the learners to select either Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC),
Literacy Training Service (LTS) or Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS) as a

requirement of the curriculum.

An article by John Chan (2007) in World Socialist Website said that

Chinese government is imposing nationwide military training for students of the

country to achieve not only the three main goals of the latter but also to strengthen

the submission of students concept to organization and discipline. Likewise, in

order for them to instill the values of patriotism, collectivism and revolutionary

heroism calling that the government shall appeal to a compulsory national military

training for students in high school and tertiary level.

David L. Leal ( 2007) said in his article that ROTC students get parallel

benefit in participating in the said course as a citizen soldier. He added that

bridging civil military gap can be addressed as an equal responsibility of the

students taking part of the program and the government’s implementing

institutions. Moreover, Michael S. Neiberg et.al (2002) wrote in his book the

importance of ROTC in the development of ones own ideology in line with military

service. Thus, the implementation of the ROTC is crucial in the students holistic

development.
 As cited by Lovell, (1974) ROTC in the Philippines as a sub-field of

Strategic Studies and Political Science, focuses on the threat posed by the military

institution to the popular rule by a civilian government and to the individual

citizen’s political and civil rights. In addition, Changco and Santiago(2013)

mentioned that the military program model was in parallel with that of the United

States of America which started in 1867 where it was instigated as an elective

subject for college students.

Among the the pioneer implementing schools of the ROTC in the country

wayback 1922 were the University of the Philippines, National University, Ateneo

de Manila, Liceo de Manila, and Colegio de San Juan de Letran. With the nationwide

adoption of the military program through the Commonwealth Act No. 1 or the

National Defense Act of 1935, particularly as stated in Article VI Section 35, the

concept of ROTC came into implementation with any schools and institutions as

mandatory for every physically fit students. Upon pursuing the course of military

instruction, it qualifies a graduate of an ROTC course for a commission as a third

lieutenant of a reserve command with a power to choose where would he want to

render service. Moreover, the army reserves produced by the ROTC program from

the 33 colleges cadets were first put into action during the Second World War.

Executive Order No.59, s. 1967 retrieved from

https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1967/02/08/executive-order-no-59-s-1967/

signed by President Ferdinand Marcos obliged all colleges and universities having

an enrollment of at least two hundred fifty male students shall include a course of
military instruction as a compulsory portion of their respective curricula. This is in

effect for all physically fit male citizens of undergraduate status and shall faithfully

conduct the course in accordance with the policies and regulations. However, the

Secretary of National Defense, Secretary of Education and the President of the State

College or University concerned, shall jointly corroborate as to the implementation

of the ROTC in the respective tertiary and vocational schools provided it is

approved by the President of the Philippines.

SENATE BILL NO. 2034 retrieved from

https://legacy.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2023/0413_gatchalian1.asp THE

PROPOSED RESERVE OFFICERS TRAINING CORPS ACT AUTHORED BY SEN.

SHERWIN GATCHALIAN Senator Win Gatchalian shared this detail from the results

of a commissioned Pulse Asia survey, which showed that 78% or nearly 8 out of 10

Filipinos support the implementation of ROTC at the tertiary level. A closer look at

the results of the survey revealed that 75% of the poll's respondents aged 18-24, the

same cohort who will take part in the program, agree with the proposed revival of

ROTC in college. Support for the measure is also overwhelming among people with

varying educational backgrounds, including those who received some high school

education (74%), completed high school (77%), those who received some college

education (79%), and those who are in vocational education (83%). Aside from

training students for national defense preparedness, civil military operations, and

law enforcement, Senate Bill No. 2034 or the Reserve Officers' Training Corps Act

also aims to provide students with skills and knowledge to provide service in times
of emergencies and disasters, including disaster response operations, rescue and

relief operations, and early recovery activities. Those who favor the restoration of

ROTC believe that it will teach young people discipline and responsibility (71%).

They also believe that it will train and prepare students to defend the country

(60%). Under the proposed ROTC bill, all undergraduate students shall undertake

the Mandatory Basic ROTC for four semesters.

SENATE BILL. No. 236 retrieved from

https://legacy.senate.gov.ph/lisdata/3794834391!.pdf AN ACT REINSTATING

THE MANDATORY RESERVE OFFICERS TRAINING CORPS (ROTC) PROGRAM IN

ALL UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE OR DIPLOMA PROGRAMS IN PUBLIC AND

PRIVATE TERTIARY-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. INTRODUCED BY

SENATOR ROBINHOOD PADILLA

In its Declaration of Principles and State Policies, the 1987 Constitution

mandated the Government to serve and protect the people. Corollary to this, the

Government may call upon the people to defend the State an In the fulfillment

thereof, all citizens may be required, under conditions provided by law, to render

personal, military, or civil service. The Constitution likewise recognizes the vital role

of the youth in nation building and seeks to protect their physical, moral, spiritual,

intellectual, and social well-being. The State has the duty to inculcate in the youth

patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their involvement in public and civic

affairs. In fact, no less than Vice President Sara Duterte said," What we need right

now is a new generation[of youths], who are disciplined and have love for the
country, Filipino youths who will help the government in forging and fortifying

peace and progress in our country." By virtue of these policies. Republic Act No.

7077 otherwise known as the "Citizen Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservists

Act mandated military training for students enrolled in colleges, universities and

similar institutions of learning and decreed the establishment of Reserve Officers'

Training Corps (ROTC) units for the purpose of producing enlisted and officer

reservists. Unfortunately, the subsequent passing of the Republic Act No. 9163

otherwise known as the "National Service

Training Program (NSTP) Act of 2001" made ROTC optional and voluntary.

As a result, enrollment of students in said ROTC program steadily declined. This bill

seeks to reinstate the ROTC program as a mandatory requirement in the curriculum

of all undergraduate degree or diploma programs in public and private tertiary-level

education institutions in the country. The restoration of the ROTC program will arm

our youth with the competence and readiness required in serving our country to

ensure the security of the State and our people.

SENATE BILL No. 1556 retrieved from

https://legacy.senate.gov.ph/lisdata/58725230!.pdf AN ACT RE-INSTITUTING

ROTC AS A MANDATORY COURSE FOR ALL COLLEGE STUDENTS, REVIVING THE

PERTINENT PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7077 AND COMMONWEALTH

ACT NO. 1 AND AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9163 FOR THE PURPOSE .

INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA

 It is alarming to learn that after the enactment of Republic Act No. 9163,

otherwise known as the "National Service Training Program of 2001" which made

the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) optional among male college students,

those pursuing such military training had drastically dropped indicating that either

the government has not inculcated the proper attitude to the youth to imbibe

patriotic ideals and love of country or that many young students simply are not

prepared to defend their motherland when the time comes to do so. In Central

Visayas alone, the AFP revealed that college students pursuing military training to

become part of the reserve force dropped to a little over 5,000 from a high of 40,000

when ROTC was still mandatory. One the national level, reports have it that the

number of students volunteering to take up ROTC was as low as 80,000 compared to

the previous high of 250,000. Section 4 of Article II of the Constitution provides:

"The prime duty of the Government is to serve and protect the people. The

Government may call upon the people to defend the State and, in the fulfillment

thereof, all citizens may be required, under conditions provided by law, to render

personal, military or civil service." At the rate the number of college students prefer

other forms of civic training under R.A. 9163 over ROTC, it is not farfetched that we

will no longer have sufficient reserve officers for the AFP to tap in times of need.

Thus, the Armed Forces of the Philippines is pushing to make the Reserve Officers

Training Corps (ROTC) mandatory again for all male college students because

making it so will not only give fife and meaning to the constitutional provision as

above-cited but instill discipline among the youth and make them more committed

to do acts and deeds that serve the nation rather than indulge in fraternities, drugs
and other tendencies not conducive to their development. Especially now when

talks about military unrest and dissatisfaction pervades, the ROTC must be

invigorated, properly and sufficiently put in place, so that it can, under compelling

circumstances, assist the AFP in bringing about peace and order throughout the

archipelago. Of course, it cannot be gainsaid that the ROTC had been summoned in

the past to provide security during election time. Indeed, now that there is a need to

insure peaceful, orderly and credible elections, the services of the ROTC will surely

foster such objectives because the cadets' idealism, integrity, honesty and

dedication cannot be bought by money, blinded by promises or frightened by any

form of threats. Hence, it is the bill's purpose to re-institute ROTC as a mandatory

course for all college students as mandated under Commonwealth Act No. 1,

otherwise known as the National Defense Act.

HOUSE BILL NO. 6687 retrieved from

https://www.congress.gov.ph/press/details.php?pressid=12347 AN ACT

INSTITUTING A NATIONAL CITIZENS SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM IN ALL

PUBLIC AND PRIVATE TERTIARY EDUCATION INSTITUTION, REPEALING FOR

THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT 9163, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE NATIONAL

SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM

HB 6687 calls for the establishment of a two-year NCSTP that will be

mandatory for all students enrolled in undergraduate degree programs in all public

and private HEIs, including those enrolled in technical-vocational education and

training (TVET) programs or courses of TESDA. One of the bill’s objectives include is

to “enhance the capacity of its citizens to mobilize and perform their constitutional

duty to render personal military or civil service to the [country] in times of

calamities and disasters, national or local emergencies, rebellion, invasion or war”

through the program. “The NCST shall be administered to cover undergraduate and

postsecondary TVET students for at least four (4) semesters or two hundred forty

(240) hours over two (2) school years, unless otherwise allowed by the CHED or

TESDA …,“ the measure read. The agencies tasked to implement the NCSTP are

CHED and TESDA, in consultation with the Department of National Defense. Upon

completion of the NCSTP, these “citizen-cadets” shall be deemed as NCST graduates

and will be incorporated in the National Service Reserve Corps (NSRC) that will be

created under the measure and the AFP Reserve Force. “It (NSRC) shall be civilian in

nature and shall be a source for volunteers and conscripts in times of national or

local necessity, calamities, emergencies, disasters, or armed conflict to perform non

combat and non-military duties and services as the President or the appropriate

local sanggunian may deem necessary,” the measure continued. The NSRC will be

under the control and supervision of the Office of Civil Defense under NDRRMC.

(END)

Thus, this study will seek the perception of the students and their parents as

to their likelihood on the mandatory ROTC at Estenias Science Foundation School.