DepEd says it is ready for ROTC revival

THE DEPARTMENT of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday said it is ready for the revival of the mandatory Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) in the senior high school program. In a press briefing at the Palace, DepEd Undersecretary Alain Del B. Pascua said at least 100 schools have been identified to participate in the proposed two-year pilot implementation program. “If the Senate will be passing the bill before June 7, then they will meet as a bicam and have the bill submitted to the President. If we can implement that by June, for example, of this year, that would depend if the law would be signed by the President by that time,” he said. “After which, every year thereafter, we will be reporting to a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on the implementation and other details of the implementation before it will be fully implemented — that is with the presumption that the law will be signed before the new Congress would convene,” he added. Mr. Pascua explained that the pilot 100 schools were identified based on their proximity to military bases and having open grounds big enough for the drills. — Arjay L. Balinbin