House passes bill making ROTC a prerequisite for graduation for senior high school students on second reading

(Eagle News) — The House of Representatives on Wednesday, Feb. 6, approved on second reading a bill that requires senior high school students to undergo  the Reserved Officers Training Program program to graduate.

Under House Bill 8961, only Grade 11 and 12 students who are unfit–whether physically or physiologically— may be exempted from undergoing the program if they secure a certification from the Armed Forces of the Philippines Surgeon General or a medical officer.

Those who may also be exempted are students who are part of the school’s varsity team, those who are already undergoing a similar training, among others.

President Rodrigo Duterte has long espoused the revival of the required ROTC program, saying there was a need to instill discipline and patriotism in Filipino students.