Loud whisper: The silent clamors for the return of ROTC

Perseverance, discipline, loyalty, and patriotism — are some of the reasons why the government wants to revive the mandatory Reserve Officers' Training Course (ROTC). But given its rocky history, what will we do to ensure that this revival does not fuel fascism, macho culture, corruption, and killings?

The main objective of ROTC is to train and develop students in military service to prepare them for national defense. It aims to promote nationality, leadership, and social responsibility. Additionally, it provides students with opportunities and privileges, such as scholarship discounts and military careers. For some universities, this program is optional, but it is often mandatory in other schools. Furthermore, completing ROTC training may help students earn credits for their college programs.

According to Senator Win Gatchalian, eight out of 10 Filipinos support the implementation of ROTC in college based on Pulse Asia’s survey last March 15-19. As the co-author and co-sponsor of Senate Bill No. 2034 or the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Act, he as- sures that the program has proposed safeguards. One is the establishment of the Grievance Board in every ROTC unit to conduct investigations for any complaints or alleged abuses, violations, or corruption.

Tracing its history in the Philippines, the ROTC program was abolished in 2002 amid controversy over human rights abuses and misconduct by some ROTC instructors. It was also when the National Service Training Program (NSTP) Act was formed to replace the provision of Civic Welfare Training Services, which included livelihood projects, internships in government offices, literacy programs, and community services for Filipinos.

Despite the documented instances of abuse, ROTC is currently making a resurgence, and some people are delighted and excited about it. Some netizens even shared their experiences on the program as they learned about teamwork and camaraderie. They acquired important and useful skills such as disaster response, map reading, rappelling, land navigation, first aid, and more. Through ROTC, students also have the opportunity to strengthen their leadership skills, including training and discipline following the military methods. It also prepares students to become responsible citizens, which echoes the program’s aim to develop a strong mind to be able to lead a strong life.

The revival of this program is due to the request of the incumbent President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., when he urged the Congress to pass the bill commanding the return of mandatory ROTC in both public and private senior high schools in the country. For him, the program helps in motivating, training, and mobilizing students not only for national defense but also for disaster preparedness.

But for some, it’s not only the case. Even if there are advantages to creating a sense of national identity through its educational benefits, Filipinos are still skeptical about the mandatory revival of ROTC due to its dark history. One of the stories behind it comes from the death of Mark Welson Chua, a student at the University of Sto. Tomas and an ROTC cadet who was killed after exposing the alleged anomalies in his unit in 2001. When Chua and his fellow Engineering sophomore Romulo Yumul marched forward to report a complaint accusing officers of committing bribery and extortion, it led to the dismissal of a student commandant and other officials. But one month after its story revolved, Chua went missing, apparently abducted, and the time came during March of the same year when he was found in the Pasig River. A more recent is the case of Willy Amihoy, a 23-year-old student of Iloilo State College of Fisheries, who was allegedly attacked and killed by his fellow student and corps commander. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. claimed that ROTC can cure mental health problems. He furthered that this program, compared to National Training Service Program (NSTP), can improve frustration tolerance among the students. According to the Defense Secretary, it can build strength and resilience, positively affecting mental health, and helping students respond to stressful situations appropriately. However, there is clamoring due to its reverse effects on them, as professionals also assisted in refuting this claim. Ver Reyes, a member of the Psychological Association of the Philippines, stated that no studies support the belief that ROTC training could cure mental health issues. Another health professional Dr. Tony Leachon, public health reform and advocate, also expressed that this program might inflict more stress on students.

Given the program's long history of human rights abuses, we have also increased the risks of mistreatment to students who will undergo this project.

Once the ROTC returns, the law cannot guarantee that there will be no corruption, mental and physical abuses, and murder. The program should not be mandatory for everyone, but should be optional to ensure it doesn't burden students.

Amidst the student dropouts and mental health problems, it's crystal clear that this should not be the government's top priority. Instead, they should invest in our education and provide our students with better programs that improve their literacy and critical thinking skills.

CARL CHRISTIAN L. RAMOS DAYBREAK

“However, one thing that saddens me is that privileged individuals think that all poor people are lazy and idle, when in reality, countless Filipinos are denied opportunities that would help them acquire jobs and financial stability.”

One of my fleeting memories as a grade-schooler was when my teacher would tell the class “If you are born poor it's not your mistake, but if you die poor it's your fault.” This saying always hits the mark before, but as I grow older, I realized that it isn’t always hitting the bullseye.

People around the world believe that Filipinos are indolent because of the Philippine folklore "Juan Tamad," which became popular and served as a symbol of procrastination. The story was about a young man, quietly resting under the shade of a tree, waiting for the fruit to fall instead of picking it. Despite being seen as an amusing figure in this country’s myth, however, Juan Tamad is not lazy anymore, and the main struggles of every Filipino can be viewed through the lens of modern society’s struggles with unemployment.

The Philippines has one of the highest rates of unemployment in Southeast Asia, and it is one

Business and Nature:

“Everybody wants to progress and better changes. But we must be reminded to be careful and socially responsible, especially when the lives and livelihoods of other people are at stake.”

The Philippines embarked on a massive reclamation project in 2020 in an effort to achieve economic progress and urbanization. Since then, it has been a subject of much debate in the country. The National and local governments see great potential and benefits in land reclamation, especially in developing countries like ours. It can be seen as promising as it can provide more areas for commercial, residential, and industrial plans, eventually creating opportunities for the people.

In the meantime, there are estimated 190 reclamation projects in the country, and one of the most heard and talked about reclamations is the Manila Bay rehabilitation project, where

Pag-usad na pabaligtad:

Is jeepney phaseout a progress or regress?

ERICA MAE E. TAMPARONG IRIDESCENT MOON

“Are we really ready to move forward through these trying times, or are we just trying to keep our heads above water while we struggle to live our lives?”

In this present day where commuters are scattered in different places in the Philippines, Filipinos are vying for different options for modes of transportation. Some people choose to ride a private-owned car to save themselves from the scorching sun and inconvenience in the street, while others prefer to ride taxis and car rentals for comfort. There are certain individuals who opt to ride their bikes to save time from heavy traffic, while others decide to ride a jeepney of the country's biggest problems. With the news that the country's unemployment rate climbed to 4.8%, or 2.37 million in early 2023, many Filipinos are unable to find secure jobs and are struggling to make ends meet. However, one thing that saddens me is that privileged individuals think that all poor people are lazy and idle, when in reality, countless Filipinos are denied opportunities that would help them acquire jobs and financial stability.

The unemployment in the Philippines is caused by a number of issues, including low wages, insufficient economic policies, and a lack of infrastructure, which make it difficult for enterprises to function efficiently and economically. As a result, there are fewer job opportunities accessible in the country compared to other Southeast Asian countries, such as Vietnam or Thailand, with higher incomes and more business-friendly rules.

Meanwhile, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said that since the end of 2022, unemployment and underem- dolomite sands were used to beautify the area for international and local tourist attractions. Many discussions and debates happened, as others said that dolomite is unsuitable for the bay’s ecosystem and is a waste of money. However, people certainly visit and appreciate the beauty of Metro Manila's 'white sand' paradise, enjoying this PHP 389 million worth of projects. and it was the pivotal moment for jeepneys to arise in the Philippines. ployment rates have stabilized at low levels, and the country's economy is continuing to recover. “To sustain these gains, we are boosting job creation and productivity through high investments in human capital development and public infrastructure,” Diokno said.

The biggest projects are also set to rise in Cavite, such as the emerging Sangley International Airport, which is said to cater to 75 million passengers annually by 2025 and cost around 11 billion dollars.

So, what is really going on with these reclamation projects? On its surface, reclaimed land creates more space, creating more businesses, hence, more opportunities. They usually do that through dredging and quarrying, where they scrape the seabed and use those materials to fill an area.

Over the years, jeepneys have become so legendary, that they become the backbone of public transportation in the Philippines. No matter when and where, it has become a part of our life. But to this day, a fight between people and the government started when woes from Filipino commuters block the idea of phasing out jeepneys.

However, even though the data shows positive results since Pandemic, we can’t deny the fact that the Philippines has one of the highest unemployment rates in the South East. In addition, many people complain that many companies offer jobs, but their qualifications and standards are too high to meet the requirements. The government must fix the system and implement policies to help every Filipino find a job that will improve their life.

In conclusion, it is important to recognize that Filipino indolence isn't responsible for current levels of high unemployment rates throughout the country; instead, it is more likely attributed to various factors including inadequate educational systems, limited job prospects outside of high-

It is also important to note how expensive these projects are and the government partners with private sectors.

Different sectors have expressed concerns about the ecological and social impacts these projects are imposing — waves become bigger, tidal currents increase, and fish reproduction gets damaged. These factors greatly affect the lives of our small fisherfolks and everyone in coastal areas who depend on the sea for their livelihood.

Scientists and fisherfolks will agree that the implementation of these projects is completely unfair to the environment and the general public. Not only can it contribute to flooding, but it also destroys marine habitats and could further contribute to climate change. With today’s heat index, global warming, and the 2030 deadline set for it, we seem to shrug and ignore it.

The drawbacks of these proj- of Energy (DOE) launched the Electric Vehicle Roadmap with the aim of reducing the country’s dependence on imported fuel and as well as to promote energy-efficient transportation technologies. But the point of contention is that have we really made progress by phasing out the most reliable form of transportation for Filipinos, or are we in a phase of regress? er education credentials, and specialized skill sets that many Filipino do not have access to. With the poverty rate being estimated at 13.2% by the government as of March, it is projected that the poverty rate will continue to rise due to increasing inequality and lack of access to resources. ects are palpable. While we can see its potential to provide opportunities for economic growth, the long list of adverse outcomes outweighs it. Our leaders should carefully assess the pros and cons of these projects and have science-based management in all of their planning. The country’s food relies heavily on the marine species surrounding us. Preserving and restoring our environment should be our top priority since typhoons often occur in the Philippines. We must focus on preparing for natural disasters instead of creating one. Everybody wants progress and better changes, but we must be reminded to be careful and socially responsible, especially when the lives and livelihoods of other people are at stake. If this is the price we pay for progress, perhaps it’s not worth it. to save money. Filipinos may choose different options, but when they want a form of transportation that is convenient, cheap, and accessible to all, they choose to ride a jeepney.

Furthermore, the stereotype of Filipinos being “Juan Tamad” no longer serves its purpose because he changed for the better and is no longer an indolent young man, rather he continues to battle day in and day out, working hard to provide for his family and improve their lives. In simplest terms, the poor are not idle, and there are many factors and unfortunate circumstances in life that may happen to a person. Lastly, many Filipinos are unsure of devoting their time, intelligence, skills and energy to this country favored by the wealthy. The Filipinos must be encouraged by the government to create and generate businesses that would provide more work and opportunities for their countrymen.

Jeepneys have been serving people ever since the end of World War II. When Leonardo Sarao, the King of the Road and the pioneer of the jeepney manufacturing industry found the unserviceable jeepneys that Americans left, he believed that there would be something that Filipinos could benefit from -

It was in 2017 when the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) or also known as the Jeepney Modernization Program was first announced when the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) adjudged that traditional jeepneys are unsafe and environmentally damaging. According to research by the Blacksmith Institute and Clean Air Asia, they found that jeepneys are responsible for 15 percent of the total particulate matter emissions in Metro Manila. In exchange for traditional jeepneys, the Department

Even if jeepneys are phased out, there are still crucial factors as to why we can’t promote a cleaner environment. We may lessen the domino effect of carbon emissions, but people will be on the verge of struggles if phasing out old jeepneys will be fully and officially implemented—because it is anti-poor.

For jeepney drivers, it will be a drawback for them because they will lose their jobs. It will also be much more expensive if they acquire the offered loan, which intends to give a 5.6% subsidy with a 6% interest rate for seven years of payment. How could an ordinary man be able to avail of a modern jeepney that would cause them two million or more? Even Senator Grace Poe remained in doubt that the national government is not ready yet to implement this modernization program. It will not only bring a stumbling block to fellow jeepney drivers but even to commuters. Modernizing a jeepney would cost almost P2.8 million, and a subsidy would only cover 5.7% of its expenses; drivers and operators will be forced to raise jeepney fares; and it will affect people, especially those living under the poverty line.

No matter how long the LTFRB extends the deadline for consolidation, still, Filipinos are still not ready for major modernization, especially if it will cost them a million times. If they force themselves to follow, they will be in debt, but if they don't, they will also lose their jobs. Are we really ready to move forward through these trying times, or are we just trying to keep our heads above water while we struggle to live our lives?