Reserved Officer Training Corps
I am in full support of the plan of our 15th Vice President and concurrent Education Secretary, Her Excellency Sara Duterte – Carpio aimed at reinstating the mandatory ROTC.
Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, a former Police Chief, said in a statement that enrollment in ROTC programs drastically declined since the implementation of the NSTP Act of 2001, which made ROTC voluntary. He reiterated a data which showed that around 800,000 students enrolled annually in the military training programs when ROTC was mandatory which dropped to 14 percent after the passage of RA 9163 and added that the number of reservists that can fulfill the Citizen Armed Force mission reduced as well.
He is pushing for the revival of the mandatory Basic Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) in schools nationwide citing that the military training would instill discipline, moral virtues and patriotism among the Grades 11 and 12 students. I agree, as I learned about discipline, following orders and working within a structure during my ROTC days; I learned to obey before complaining. It may sound funny, but I learned more about discipline in the ROTC than in my own home, following orders from my commanders than my parents.
But I did learn about the value of volunteerism from my father, Leonardo Chua, who consistently served and volunteered in charitable institutions, this, he had learned also from his mother, Rosa Tan. In my experience, volunteerism is a family tradition, passed from parents to children.
Just as how Yasuteru Yamada with other Fukushima nuclear plant warriors stood their ground and how Dong embodied the volunteering blood of his family, may the Filipino youth form a solid alliance with the elderly and vice versa – standing back to back, functioning with one heart rooted in volunteerism and living with an awakened sense of bravery to protect the sacred light of the Pearl of the Orient.
National Reservist Public Affairs Unit – Testimony of a Volunteer
I am honored and I take pride to be a part of the Naval Forces Reserve, who chose to serve the country. With what is going on in our nation and in this world, we need to reflect and ask ourselves, “what small contribution can I do, to improve the situations of my nation?”
I can say that being part of the Philippine Navy as a Reservist is one of the greatest highlights of my career, I am proud and humbled to be given a chance to serve our country, in assisting the relief and rescue during disaster or calamities, and also to assist in socioeconomic development. Thus, Patriotism and Public service indeed go beyond colors. I am constantly being inspired by our leaders who really care about our Kababayan, for they exhibit genuine ‘malasakit’ in our daily battles, whether tangible or intangible, by helping and serving our fellow Filipinos in the midst of the pandemic.
Our organization Task Group S.T.A.R.S. comprises of celebrities, athletes and influencers, now members of the NRPAU, who voluntarily gathered, repacked then distributed relief goods and medical supplies in areas of the underprivileged, cultural communities, and also to evacuees affected by different disasters or calamities who are unable to access these necessities. We enjoy the experience of the traditional Bayanihan principle of community spirit to extend assistance during the crisis. We are all volunteers in uniform.
I thank God for giving us the opportunity to be an instrument in sharing blessings to the people in need. Through the grace of God, the Armed Forces of the Philippines recognized our efforts and awarded us with the Bronze Cross Medal, a single grade military decoration of AFP which is awarded for “heroism involving risk of life”, and The Military Merit Medal (TripleM), a medal for heroic achievement in distinguished service that does not require combat participation.
“Reserve force are not paid, NOT because they’re worthless, they are not paid because they’re PRICELESS.” – PO3 CLIFF MENDOZA PN NAVSOCOM (RES)
“I have always believed in serving your country in your own way. It may be through being a public servant, a doctor, a soldier. As an actor and a person of influence to many, we have responsibilities to give hope and motivation the youth of our nation. And I chose to be a reservist under the Philippine Navy to join efforts in conducting activities for the people in times of calamity. I may aid in financial efforts, but I believe exerting time and effort by showing up and motivating people through our activities under NRPAU and NRC gives me fulfillment in serving my country and the Filipinos. Aiming for a better change starts with that first step. And I am proud I am a volunteer wearing a uniform, I am a proud reservist with the Philippine Navy.” – PO3 ROCCO NACINO PN NAVSOCOM (RES)
Snappiest salutes to my fellow Filipino brother & sisters who volunteered and risk their lives during pandemic.
Paul Chua PhD is the Officer-in-charge of the Light Rail Transit Authority. He was a scholar of the Department of National Defense program “Master in National Security Administration” and a (reservist) reserve officer with the rank of Lieutenant colonel of the Philippine Marine Corps. He finished his executive education program on “Strategic Management of Regulatory and Enforcement Agencies” at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.
Originally published by The Manila Times on July 21, 2022.
View the original publication at The Manila Times ↗