AS THE COUNTRY marked its 128th Independence Day, Senator Robinhood Padilla renewed his push for the passage of the proposed Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Act, saying the recent devastating earthquake in Mindanao underscores the importance of strengthening disaster preparedness education among Filipino youth.

Padilla made the appeal while leading relief and humanitarian operations in Sarangani Province following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck parts of Mindanao, including General Santos City and nearby provinces.

The senator said the tragedy highlights the need to equip students with practical skills that would enable communities to respond effectively during emergencies and natural disasters.

According to Padilla, education should go beyond academic learning and also prepare young Filipinos to become responsible citizens capable of assisting during crises.

“The earthquake in Mindanao reminds us that national security is not limited to external threats. During disasters, we need disciplined, organized, and well-trained citizens who can help in evacuation efforts, first aid, search-and-rescue operations, and community recovery,” he said.

Senate Bill No. 617 seeks to institutionalize and strengthen the ROTC program in higher education institutions and technical-vocational institutions nationwide.

Under the proposal, students enrolled in degree and certificate programs would undergo mandatory basic ROTC training designed to develop patriotism, civic consciousness, and disaster-response competencies.

The measure includes training in survival skills, disaster preparedness, search-and-rescue operations, relief work, and emergency response—areas Padilla said are essential in a country frequently affected by earthquakes, typhoons, floods, and volcanic eruptions.

He emphasized that the proposed ROTC program should be viewed as a nation-building and educational initiative rather than solely a military training program.

Padilla added that students trained in first aid, disaster response, and emergency management could become valuable assets to their communities, particularly when government responders are overwhelmed by large-scale calamities.

Aside from disaster preparedness training, the bill includes provisions aimed at protecting student welfare, such as a strict prohibition on hazing and other forms of abuse, the establishment of grievance mechanisms, and monitoring systems to ensure accountability within the program.

The proposal also provides benefits for ROTC participants, including free uniforms, free hospitalization for training-related injuries, and incentives for graduates of the Advanced ROTC Program, such as priority consideration for recruitment into uniformed services and eligibility for civil service benefits.

Padilla said the measure aligns with the Constitution’s recognition of the vital role of the youth in nation-building and seeks to create a pool of trained reservists who can support the government during emergencies and humanitarian crises.