Perceptions of Senior High School Students in Ilocos Norte College of Arts and Trades (INCAT)

the Reinstatement of Mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Program (ROTC)

A Research Paper
Presented to
The Senior High School Faculty of the
Ilocos Norte College of Arts and Trades

In partial fulfillment of the requirements in the subject courses,

RES 1: Practical Research 1

By

Grande, Michaella Nicholle R. Orap, Mark Jerome R.

Marzo, Exikiel C. Pablo, Kendrick Chester D.
Mateo, Daniela Nicole B. Paguirigan, Kathrina Camille B.
Mateo, Margareth Joy V. Pascual, Alexa Althea S.
Molina, James Dyniel B. Pascual, Steven Francis I.

December 2022

1
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter I: INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study.................................................................................................................4
Statement of the Problem.................................................................................................................6
Significance of the Study.................................................................................................................6
Scope and Delimitation....................................................................................................................8
Definition of Terms..........................................................................................................................8
Chapter II: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Local Literatures…………………………………………………………………………………10
Local Studies……………………………………………………………………………………..11
Foreign Literatures……………………………………………………………………………….12
Foreign Studies…………………………………………………………………………………..14
Synthesis…………………………………………………………………………………………16

Chapter III: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Research Design.............................................................................................................................18
Locale of the Study........................................................................................................................18
Population and Sampling Technique.............................................................................................19
Instrumentation for Data Gathering...............................................................................................23

Chapter IV: PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS, AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

Respondent’s Profile......................................................................................................................25
Perceptions of Senior High School Students to the ROTC………………………………………28
Benefits of Joining ROTC……………………………………………………………………….30
Perceived Problems When Mandatory ROTC is Implemented………………………………….31

2
 Chapter V: SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Summary........................................................................................................................................32
Conclusions....................................................................................................................................34
Recommendations..........................................................................................................................35
Bibliography..................................................................................................................................37

3
 CHAPTER I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

According to Collins (2022) Reserve Officers Training Corps is a military

organization that trains people to become officers in the armed forces, so that they are

ready to join a military operation if they are needed.

ROTC has been a long-established part of the educational system as a training

ground for army reserve members. “The most prominent argument on behalf of ROTC is

the traditional “citizen soldier” rationale, which emphasizes how ROTC can broaden the

military’s exposure to high levels of the civilian mind. In this line of argument, officers

trained by ROTC are more likely to balance military virtues with a commitment to the

norms of civil society and the constitutional order. (Dawns, 2011)

Discontent over ROTC - its content, conduct, the competence of its training staff

and the corruption that often plagued the individual units - had been well known for

years. Casual surfing of Filipino student websites often reveals short essays or articles

about the perceived pointlessness of the program. Student groups also occasionally took

up the matter in their roster of grievances." (ARESCOM, 2016) Not only was its

application deemed ineffective, but students also suffer from unjust offices who abuse

their powers.

ROTC made its most controversial past in 2001 when a student of the University

of Santo Tomas filed a formal complaint against his superiors exposing heavy allegations

4
of corruption in his ROTC unit. His lifeless body was seen floating in Pasig River on

March 18, 2001. The incident triggered student groups to held rallies; signature

campaigns for the abolition of the ROTC program and paved the way for the passage of

Republic Act 9163 better known as the National Service Training Program Act of 2001

which was eventually signed into law on January 23, 2002. (PINEDA-ALVAREZ, 2022)

According to Alvarez-Pineda (2022), One of the legislations President Ferdinand

“Bong bong Marcos, Jr. urges the law makers to pass is the mandatory Reserve Officers

Training Corps (ROTC) for students. This created a huge scene on the internet especially

the senior high school students expressing their thoughts not favoring it, but some still

does. According to Magsambol (2022), Progressive youth groups on Tuesday, July 26

slammed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s push to make the Reserve Officers’ Training

Corps (ROTC) and the National Service Training Program (NSTP) mandatory for senior

high school programs (grades 11 and 12). “Amid a crisis on student dropouts and mental

health problems, Marcos’ solution is to add to the burden of students by forcing them to

go under ROTC,” said Akbayan Youth, the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines

and the Bukluran ng mga Progresibong Iskolar in a joint statement.

The issue has driven the researchers to study about it. The researchers aim to

discover the prospected results of joining the mandatory ROTC and how they view the

said program. The researchers will select Senior High School Students at Ilocos Norte

College of Arts and Trades, they are chosen as they are the one who is most likely to be

affected by the proposed Reinstatement of the Mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training

Corps Program for Senior High School by President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr.

5
Statement of the Problem

At the end of the study, the researchers aim to answer the following questions with

regards to the Perceptions of Senior High School Students in Ilocos Norte College of Arts and

Trades to the Reinstatement of Mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Program.

1. What is the profile of the students in terms of:

1.1 Age

1.2 Sex

1.3 Grade Level

1.4 Track

1.5 Strand

2. What are the Perceptions of Senior High School Students to the Reinstatement of

Mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Program?

3. What are the Perceived Problems can arise when ROTC will be implemented

mandatorily?

Significance of the Study

This study aims to know the Perception of Senior High School students at Ilocos Norte

College of Arts and Trades to the Reinstatement of Mandatory Reserve Officers Training Corps

Program. This study is beneficial to many sectors like the following:

To the Students: The goal of this study is to increase awareness among Senior

High School Students who will participate in the ROTC program, whether its mandatory

implementation is ever made a reality. Students can use this as a reference point to help

them decide whether to join ROTC or not.

6
 To the Parents or Guardians: They are the ones who are responsible for guiding

and taking care of their children. They can utilize this study as a reading tool whether

allow their children to enter ROTC or not.

To the Teachers: It is beneficial to the teachers as they are the one who are

guiding the students in their academics. Hence, them being aware about how their

students viewed the program can be a basis on what advice they could give.

To the School Administrators: They can encourage, direct, and advise teachers

in the use of instructional approaches, principles, and tools. And to help the teacher do his

task and address issues that come up during his instruction.

To the DepEd: The result of this study can be a basis for their decision making.

They can get information that could help them in knowing what to improve and what the

tasked in charge of the program not to do whenever implementation happen.

To the ROTC Officers: They can utilize this study as a reading resource that can

increase their understanding of the program's issues. The officers play a significant part

in the development and enhancement of the training as a component of the ROTC

program.

To the Future Researchers: They can utilize this study to assist researchers in

being aware of and informed about the procedures entailed in the ROTC program. They

would become better analysts as a result, and it would be useful as a future source of

information for additional research.

7
Scope and Delimitation

This study will focus on the Perceptions of the Senior High School students in the

Reinstatement of Mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps in the Philippines under President

Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. Administration. The respondents of the study will compose of

Senior High School Students of INCAT.

The researchers believe that they can obtain non-bias Perceptions of Senior High School

Students in INCAT towards the Reinstatement of Mandatory ROTC, as the school is one of the

leading institutions in the province of Ilocos Norte.

Definition of Terms

• Mandatory- A compulsory, obligatory, and is required by law; something we should all

follow. Usually mandated by the government to its citizens.

• Perception- the process of organizing, identifying, and interpreting sensory information

in order to represent and comprehend the presented information or environment.

• Reinstatement- to put back, to re-establish it again or the restoration of something such

as a law or custom.

• ROTC - The Reserve Officers Training Corps is a military institution that prepares

individuals to enter the military as officers so they are prepared to participate in military

action should they be required.

• Senior High School- SHS refers to Grades 11 and 12, the final two years of the K to 12

Basic Education Program. Students in SHS must complete a basic curriculum as well as

subjects from a track of their choice.

8
• Strand – an area of study under an academic track that senior high school students must

take to prepare for their chosen degree in college.

• Track- The choice of career track will define the content of the subjects a student will

take in Grades 11 and 12. Each student in Senior High School can choose among three

tracks:Academic;Technical-Vocational-Livelihood; and Sports and Arts.

9
 CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

Presented in this chapter are foreign and local literatures and studies gathered from books

and online resources used by the researchers in the pursuit of this paper in order to have a more

accurate study. This helped the researchers have a better understanding and a wider perspective

on this study

LOCAL LITERATURES

Republic Act No. 9163: An act establishing the national service training program

(NSTP) for the tertiary level students, amending for the purpose RA No. 7077 PD No. 1706,

and for other purpose

Following the passage of Republic Act 9163, an Act Establishing the National Service

Training Program (NSTP), unlike the ROTC, on the other hand, lets college students to choose

and complete at least one of its three components to be able to graduate for a period of only two

(2) academic semesters (6) : the ROTC program, which provides military training; Literacy

Training Service (LTS), which provides training on teaching basic reading and math; and Civic

Welfare Training Service (CWTS), which involves students in activities contributing to

community welfare, such as caring for the environment, public safety, health, sports, and

entrepreneurship, as defined in Section 3 of RA 9163.

In an interview with Ramon Farolan of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. July 8, 2013

“What is needed to support the Armed Forces is a citizen army of well-trained reserves

that can make life difficult for any invader. Just as the threat of war with Japan served as an

10
impetus for the build-up of our Armed Forces before World War II, let us use the threats that

come from bullies in the neighborhood to prepare our youth for the defense of the homeland. It is

time to restore the mandatory two-year basic ROTC military training program that existed in the

past. Whatever mistakes or abuses were committed then should not be allowed to happen again.”

Said Brig. Gen. Rolando Jungco, Commander, Armed Forces of the Philippines Civil Relations

Service (CRS).

LOCAL STUDIES

6 out of 10 Filipinos want mandatory ROTC in senior high school

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said Wednesday the survey he commissioned Pulse Asia to

conduct has resulted in 69 percent of Filipinos agreeing to the proposed implementation of the

Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Program in senior high school.

Gatchalian said about 71 percent of the respondents in the National Capital Region and

78 percent in the Visayas support mandatory ROTC in senior high school while 67 percent in

Balance Luzon and 64 percent in Mindanao also say they support the proposal.

"Among socioeconomic groups, support for mandatory ROTC is stronger in Classes A,

B, C (71 percent) and D (71 percent), compared to Class E (54 percent). The survey had 1,200

respondents," Gatchalian said in a statement.

IMPLEMENTATION OF RESERVE OFFICER TRAINING CORPS AT TAGUIG CITY

UNIVERSITY: BASIS FOR ACTION PLAN: By Ronaldo R. Pasion

The problems encountered on the implementation of ROTC program in Taguig City

University in terms of Human Resource, Physical Facilities, Budget and Finance, Policy and

11
Guidelines and Training were assessed as Serious. However, with regards to Logistics and

Equipment this was assessed as Moderately Serious. It shows that there are several problems

encountered in the ROTC program of TCU which needs to be addressed.

The Perceptions on ROTC Implementation Among Senior High School Students of

Philippine Pasay Chung Hua Academy Sy. 2018 2019

The Senior High School students agreed on the implementation of mandatory ROTC but

some students mentioned that ROTC must not be mandatory. Leadership has the most common

answers by the respondents. The Senior High School of Philippine Pasay Chung Hua Academy

said that the ROTC can make Filipino to be more patriotic since they will go through on how to

focus as a leader and protect themselves, as well as the people around them.

FOREIGN LITERATURE

Chinese government imposes nationwide military training for students

Establishment of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps or Student Military Training

Service in different countries has three foremost objectives namely: to allow students to grasp

basic military skills and theory and enhance their understanding of defense and consciousness of

national security. On an article by John Chan in World Socialist Web Site on the 10th day of

May 2007- Chinese government is imposing nationwide military training for students of the

country to achieve not only the three main goals of the latter but also to strengthen the

submission of students to “organization” and “discipline”, as well as to instill the values of

“patriotism”, “collectivism” and “revolutionary heroism”. In this article he discussed why a

government should call for a compulsory national military training for students in high school

and tertiary level and how it will affect their educational record.

12
ROTC, the Citizen-Soldiers, and the Civil-Military Gap

Scholarship is one of the reasons why a student of the American government underwent

this course. On the article written by David L. Leal, Students in Uniform: ROTC, the Citizen-

Soldiers, and the Civil-Military Gap, it tells in details how and when the ROTC rooted in the

country, what are the parallel benefit if a student will participate in the said course and the equal

responsibility as a student taking part of the program.

The Pendulum Swing: The Fall and Return of ROTC to Elite Campuses, and Why It

Matters

In the United States of America there was a time that this course was banned mainly

because of lack of academic standards and some instructors and students believed that this is just

a dummy for the military during the Vietnam War last 1960. Universities that banned this

program include the most notable institutions in the United States like Harvard, Yale, Princeton,

Brown, Dartmouth, Stanford and Columbia, also known as the elite schools in higher education.

In the article “The Pendulum Swing: The Fall and Return of ROTC to Elite Campuses, and Why

It Matters” by Donald Downs, the author/writer give the good standing why the ROTC is needed

to be reinstated in the elite universities and how this program can be beneficial with the school

and to the students.

Making Citizen-Soldiers: ROTC and the Ideology of American Military Service

Who will be best fit to enter the ROTC in America? Young fitted men or women? This

was the question answered in the book of Michael S. Neiberg entitled: Making Citizen-Soldiers:

ROTC and the Ideology of American Military Service. In this book, it focuses the discussion on

the history of ROTC in America; its creation and evolution, who founded the program and where

13
the concept came from. It also gives a short review on the pathways that the course had gone

through over the years.

Does the Probability of Compulsory Military Training Pose a Problem for the Public

Schools?

During the time of the Pres. Roosevelt, those young boys aged 16 to 19 are put in training

with the compulsory in nature. There are several records showing the rise and fall of the number

of young boys who entered the said course. The best place to have this training was in a public

school. This has been justified in the article of Lewis Paul Todd, “Does the Probability of

Compulsory Military Training Pose a Problem for the Public Schools?”

FOREIGN STUDIES

Bidding for Army Career Specialties: Improving the ROTC Branching Mechanism

Tayfun Sonmez, “Bidding for Army Career Specialties: Improving the ROTC Branching

Mechanism”, this study gave a reasonable solution on how to increase the number of participants

of the training corps. It tackles on modifying the merit and incentives system so that it will

encourage numbers of students and they will no doubt participate in the program of the

institution. This study gave an emphasis on the “priority-based system” which is most effective

in the said program.

Developing Leaders through High School Junior ROTC: Integrating Theory with Practice

Developing Leaders through High School Junior ROTC: Integrating Theory with Practice

of Robert C. Funk is a study that deals on how to develop leadership at the high school level.

This study aims to maximize the participation of the high school student in the leadership

14
training dubbed as JROTC. The author viewed that it would enhance the knowledge of the

student in leadership skills, their understanding of their part as a citizen of the country and their

personal growth.

15
SYNTHESIS

Since its inception, ROTC has aimed to instill in young people a sense of nationalism and

patriotism through appropriate instruction, preparing them to become disciplined leaders and

citizens who can join the militia to defend the nation. As per the history of ROTC in the country,

the program was developed with the intention of improving students as citizens and the

heightened quality protection that they can provide. The objectives of ROTC are entirely

nationalistic in nature, despite issues that have arisen during their execution in the past and in the

present. The objectives of ROTC in other nations, meanwhile, focus more on helping students to

understand military theory and skills as well as increasing public awareness of defense and

national security. In contrast, they are more militaristic in nature and pay less attention to how

ROTC might help students develop their leadership and sense of self. Although American studies

investigated strategies to expand the number of students who enroll in ROTC and proposed

alterations to the program’s operation to encourage more students to engage and develop their

leadership abilities. All the literatures have shown information about ROTC that could give the

readers a motivation as a determining factor for them whether to enter or not to the ROTC

program. Local studies have shown that students do agree on the ROTC program but there are

several problems that needs to be address to as per seen to the previous implementations at

Taguig City University. While the given foreign studies focus on giving the information that ties

to the benefits a person can attain upon joining ROTC. The studies given in general, reflects the

motivations of ROTC implementation in schools across many nations, demonstrating if they are

more patriotic or military in nature and engage in the self-development of the students.

Furthermore, the acquired information can be utilized as guide to help ROTC in the Philippines

be improve for a better and more thorough application that can reduce the abuse that arises from

16
incorrect implementation of the program. Moreover, all the given literatures and studies gives the

researchers a basis and an additional knowledge in conducting the study entitled; Perceptions of

Senior High School Students in Ilocos Norte College of Arts and Trades to the Reinstatement of

Mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Program.

17
 CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

This Chapter presents the procedure and processes employed in the conduct of the study.

It includes the research design, locale of the study, population and sampling technique,

instrumentation for data gathering and data collection.

RESEARCH DESIGN

The researchers will conduct this study using Case Study research design. A case study is a

research method used to develop an in-depth, multifaceted understanding of a difficult subject in

its real-world context. It is a well-established research design that is widely utilized in many

fields, particularly the social sciences. (Crowe et al., 2011). The researchers believe that this

research design is appropriate in conducting the study as they are to obtain insights from the

respondents as to their Perception in the Reinstatement of Mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training

Corps Program. Qualitative research is a process of naturalistic inquiry that seeks an in-depth

understanding of social phenomena within their natural setting. It focuses on the "why" rather

than the "what" of social phenomena and relies on the direct experiences of human beings as

meaning-making agents in their everyday lives. (University of Utah College of Nursing, (n.d.).)

LOCALE OF THE STUDY

The researchers will conduct this study at the Ilocos Norte College of Arts and Trades

located along P. Gomez St. 5 San Pedro, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte. In 1908, Ilocos Norte College

of Arts and Trades was founded as the Laoag Provincial Trade School. In the year 2021, the

school was opened for a complete elementary and two-year secondary trade curriculum. But the

18
Elementary Department was phased out in 1934 due to the increase of the number of enrollment

and retaining the Secondary Trade Curriculum which now include Home Economics for girls.

Republic Act 906 was passed converting the Laoag Provincial Trade School into National

School of Arts and Trades known as “Ilocos Norte College of Arts and Trades”, and the

curriculum includes two trade technical courses in 1954.

Mission. To protect and promote the right of every Filipino to quality, equitable, culture-

based, and complete basic education where: Students learn in a child-friendly, gender-sensitive,

safe and motivating environment. Teachers facilitate learning and nurture every learner.

Administrators and staff, as stewards of the institution, ensure an enabling and supportive

environment for effective learning to happen. Family, community, and other stakeholders are

actively enjoyed and share responsibility for developing life-long learning.

Vision. We dream of Filipinos who passionately love their country and whose values and

competencies enable them to realize their full potential and contribute meaningfully to building

the nation.

POPULATION AND SAMPLING TECHNIQUE

The target population of this study is the Grade 11 and 12 students both Academic and

Technical Vocational and Livelihood Track from the Ilocos Norte College of Arts and Trades.

The researchers will choose their respondents using a Quota Sampling Technique. Quota

sampling is a non-probability sampling method in which researchers select a sample of people

who represent a population. These individuals are chosen by researchers based on unique

characteristics or attributes. They decide and create quotas in order for research samples to be

19
useful in data collection. These samples are representative of the overall population. Fleetwood

(n.d.)

The researchers will determine their total number of samples using the Slovin’s Formula.

Slovins’s formula is used to calculate an appropriate sample size from a population. Glen, (n.d.).

After the researchers determined their total sample size, they’re going to distribute their

respondents.

Slovin’s Formula:

𝑁
𝑛=
1 + 𝑁𝑒 2

Where:

n= Number of Samples

N= Total Population

e= Error Tolerance

Given:

n= ?

N= 1876

e= 10% or 0.10

Solution:

1676
𝑛=
1 + 1676(0.10)2

n= 94.37 or 94

Distribution of Respondents

20
Formula:

𝑃𝑜𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑥 𝑆𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒 𝑝𝑜𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑃𝑜𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

Table 1. Distribution of Respondents (Grade 11)

Distribution of Respondents
Grade 11
Academics
ABM
Ayala 42 2
Sy 41 2
Caktiong 44 2
Gokongwei 38 2

HUMSS
Carino 45 3
Carandang 48 3
Castillo 47 3
Corona 47 3
Canlas 47 3
Concepcion 47 3

TVL
Sison 33 2
Daza 27 2
Gatcalian 36 2
Hallden 32 2
Mariott 34 2
Ford 41 2
Edison 47 3
Franklin 46 3
Daichi 51 3
Robert 40 2
Strauss 38 2
51

21
Table 2. Distribution of Respondents (Grade 12)

Distribution of Respondents
Grade 12
Academics
ABM
Ernst 40 2
Gorres 39 2
Sycip 41 2
Velayo 39 2
Young 42 2

HUMSS
Bernas 39 2
Briones 43 2
Monsod 43 2
Ocampo 42 2
Salonga 39 2
Santiago 42 2

TVL
Ramsay 46 3
Sentosa 44 2
Hyatt 48 3
Altis 35 2
Vios 35 2
Ohms 50 3
Alcaraz 30 2
Gates 42 2
Palafox 26 2
43

22
INSTRUMENTATION FOR DATA GATHERING

The researchers will use a survey questionnaire and interview to gather the necessary data.

The questions are designed to know the Perception of the Implementation of Mandatory ROTC

for Senior High School students of Ilocos Norte College of Arts and Trades.

The questionnaire is divided into three parts. The first part is used to determine the profile

of the respondents. The variables needed were determined and asked for in the profile part of the

questionnaire. The second part was the questions designed for obtaining the Perceptions of the

Senior High School Students to the Reinstatement of Mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training

Corps Program. The third part is used to determine the perceived problems if ROTC will be

implemented mandatorily. Open-ended types of questions will be used in the questionnaire.

Open-ended questions are questions that do not provide participants with a predetermined set of

answer choices, instead allowing the participants to provide responses in their own words,

Albudaiwi (n.d.).

23
 CHAPTER IV

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS, AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

This chapter presents detailed evaluation of data analysis and the results of this study.

The researchers interpret the results thoroughly from the 94 respondents’ answer from the survey

questionnaire given which aims to determine the Perceptions of Senior High School Students in

Ilocos Norte College of Arts and Trades to the Reinstatement of Mandatory Reserve Officers

Training Corps Program.

A technique known as narrative analysis was used in this study. The purpose of narrative

analysis is to explore and conceptualize human experience as it is expressed in literature.

Researchers could employ this strategy to work with small groups of participants to collect

diverse and open-ended speech in order to achieve a better grasp of the meanings people attach

to their experiences (Salkind, 2019).

First, the researchers thoroughly organized the responses gathered. The study of raw data

resulted in the initial identification of the relevant codes. The researchers then evaluated these

codes throughout time, noting similarities and differences in order to group them. Based on

groups of comparable codes, the categories were constructed and structured to address the

research's major questions.

24
First Section: Respondent’s Profile

Table 1. Respondent’s Profile (n=94)

Profile Frequency Percentage

Track:
Academic Track 48 51.06%
Technical Vocational Livelihood (TVL) Track 46 48.94%
Strand:
Accountancy Business and Management 18 19.14%
Humanities and Social Science 30 31.91%
Automotive Servicing (ATS) 8 8.51%
Beauty Care (BC) 2 2.13%
Computer Systems Services (CSS) 4 4.26%
Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Servicing (RAC) 3 3.19%
Electrical Installation and Maintenance (EIM) 6 6.38%
Food Processing Services (FPS) 5 5.32%
Electronic Products Assembly and Servicing (EPAS) 3 3.19%
Hospitality and Restaurant Services (HRS) 9 9.57%
Technical Drafting and Animation (TDA) 4 4.26%
(GT) 2 2.13%

Second Section: Perception of SHS in INCAT to the Reinstatement of Mandatory ROTC

Moving on to the second section which contains the main questions for the study, there

were five themes that emerged in the perceptions of Senior High School Students to the

Reinstatement of Mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Program of students namely:

The first theme that was generated is it mobilized students for military defense

preparedness and disaster preparedness. Respondent 9 “highlighted this by stating that this

program will include basic military training to motivate, train, organize, and utilize students for

national defense preparedness.” Respondent 41 also added, “for its benefits, we can learn about

the basic self-defense, and it will teach us to not rely on anyone but yourself. It also provide

students with basic military education and training for military defense.” Also, respondent 42

25
said “to be prepared for possible service in the defense establishment during the event of an

emergency.” It is clear that those respondents who agree weigh its benefits of attaining

preparedness not only in the military of the country but also during at times of emergency such

as disasters. The involvement of universities and colleges in the ROTC program is essential in

supporting the implementation of the program. The educational institutions will be able to

observe how students will contribute to the country’s peace, security and national development

program. More so, the program provides students with significant opportunities and benefits. The

young-molded cadets can acquire tacit knowledge on leadership and national defense

preparedness allowing them to become scholars and be among those to participate in the ROTC

Cultural Understanding Language Program, The Freeman (2022).

For the second theme namely, good head start or training ground to immerse yourself in

pursuing a military career, respondent 62 said that “people seeking for military career in the

future can have a head start and apply the skills they obtain in college.” Given that ROTC entails

military training, it can be an edge for those individuals who will partake in a military career

journey in college. Likewise, respondent 43 states that “it benefits me since I’m planning to

pursue a military career in college.” Respondent 43 viewed this program as an opportunity for

him. He believes that entering this program may help him to attain prior knowledge before going

to college and take a military course. Prior knowledge has long been considered the most

important factor influencing learning and student achievement. The amount and quality of prior

knowledge positively influence both knowledge acquisition and the capacity to apply higher-

order cognitive problem-solving skills, Mrsstrickey, (2021)

In connection to that, another theme was revealed in this study namely, it provides world

class leadership development. Respondent 32 said that “This program offers world-class

26
leadership development as well as possibilities for team building and networking." To

corroborate her answer, here’s an article of Montesi published in 2018, The ROTC program

provides world-class leadership development, as well as valuable team building and networking

opportunities. It also opens the door to specialized training with your local unit, which could

include airborne, air assault, medical training, and other technical skills. If you’re interested in

military life, the access to high-level training provided by ROTC is unparalleled.

The theme threat to safety as fraternity and Sorority is prone to arise with this kind of

things. Respondent 6 highlighted that “the process of joining these groups is unbearable and is

terribly wrong. Hazing and Abuse between cadets and commander may arise which is

detrimental to the core purpose of reinstating Mandatory ROTC to Senior High Schools which

President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. stated.” Respondent 18 added that “hazing has been a

huge issue in military schools, thus hazing might arise during the mandatory ROTC program.”

Also, respondent 51 said that “hazing and abuse is one of the potential issues that might arise.

Some instructors might be harsh to the students, although it has not happened, it is a big

possibility.” The reasons of the respondents for why they disagree about ROTC’s reinstatement

is mostly due to their safety, given that fraternities and sororities have high possibility to arise.

Hazing includes, but is not limited, to any form of initiation "rite of passage" or congratulatory

act that involves physically striking another in order to inflict pain; piercing another’s skin in any

manner; forcing or requiring the consumption of excessive amounts of food, alcohol, drugs, or

other substances; or encouraging another to engage in illegal, harmful, demeaning or dangerous

acts. Soliciting or coercing another to participate in any such activity is also considered hazing.

Hazing need not involve physical contact among or between military members or employees; it

can be verbal or psychological in nature. Hazing has at times occurred during graduation

27
ceremonies or similar military "rites of passage." However, it may also happen in day-to-day

military settings. It is prohibited in all cases, to include off-duty or "unofficial" celebrations or

unit functions, (AR 600-20 Army Command Policy (n.d.).

As for the theme unbearable intense training and will just add unnecessary burden to

students. Respondent 3 added that “many of the students will complain about their time being

use in ROTC instead of having some rest after a long weekday”; also, the statement of

respondent 18 that “he does not feel comfortable with the suggestion of reinstating ROTC since

such journey might be unbearable due to intense physical training. However, he recognizes still

that it is essential for the protection of the country.” The training a student receives in Army

ROTC provides leadership development, military skills and career training, Today’s Military,

(n.d.). Intensive training will be held at a military camp in Bagacay village, Hinabangan Samar.

After the rigid training, they will be enlisted into the Philippine Army with the rank of

private, Meniano S. (2019). Those two articles are relevant to the answers of the highlighted

answers of the two respondents. Given that, the two are hesitant due to unbearable journey of

intense training, these two articles confirmed it that ROTC training entails training like a military

skills training; the second one states that a military training here in the Philippines was intense.

Perceptions of Senior High School Students in INCAT to the Reinstatement of Mandatory

ROTC

With the gathered data, majority of the respondents agreed to the Reinstatement of

Mandatory ROTC Program given that it can enhance their abilities both physical and social skills

or capabilities. The respondents believe that implementing the ROTC program will benefit their

physical and character development, such as alertness, bravery, being more skilled, disciplined,

and respectful. As respondent 69 said, “it may improve my self-confidence, physical body,

28
endurance, stamina and help you discipline yourself”; Respondent 71, “this program help

students to be more brave, skilled, to be well-disciplined, and also respectful”; and respondent

83, “it enhances one’s mental skills to build confidence, concentration, and composure.”

According to the various perspectives of senior high school students, the ROTC Program can

“mobilize students for military defense preparedness and disaster preparedness.” Respondent 66

said that “I agree to its reinstatement as its sole objective is to train and mobilize students for

national defense preparedness”; Respondent 77, “Like South Korea, our country need this as

well, in order to immerse the youth to be ready to any emergency or disaster in our country.”

Additionally, the respondents recognized that “ROTC instills nationalism and patriotism” and

can be “an advanced practice to those who will take military-related courses in college.” The

respondents believe that ROTC is seen to promote a culture of discipline and responsibility;

provides opportunity to inculcate the values of patriotism, nationalism, and character-building;

and provides training that will develop students' leadership skills. However, contrary to the given

perceptions that are mentioned, there are also respondents who disagreed some of them noted

that “joining can yield to brotherhood within but it should be voluntary.” They also stated that “it

should not be mandatory but voluntary instead since not all have the same health conditions”.

Respondents also noted that the said program can “add burden to students’ since there is already

a lot of work to do in school and is giving stress and pressure to them. And last, some of the

students said that it shouldn't be mandatory because not everyone seeks to be in a military career

and the journey might be unbearable and a brutal act is highly possible to appear if ever the

program is implemented.

29
Benefits of Joining ROTC

According to the data acquired, respondents list common advantages of joining the ROTC.

First on the list is learning the basics of self-defense, which, by joining it, not only enables them

to defend themselves but also others. Additionally, training aids in their emotional and physical

fitness. Being able to defend yourself raises your confidence and sense of self-worth. These

advantages are only a few of the many advantages of learning self- defense. Respondents'

answers also say that it can help foster a culture of discipline and responsibility. It's not

necessary to teach students how to carry and discharge a gun when ROTC is a school

requirement. The ROTC teaches valuable values that will shape young people into responsible

citizens, such as discipline, voluntarism, and compassion for others. Respondents believe that

joining the ROTC program will be a good head start or training ground to immerse themselves in

pursuing a military career. ROTC provides them with the training needed to succeed in

tomorrow's competitive world while pursuing a military career and a rewarding future. Preparing

for a lifetime of success in the corporate world begins with ROTC, which enables them to

develop leadership and management skills that give them a competitive edge. Respondents also

noted that the said program can provide world-class leadership development. Leaders inspire

others inside and beyond the chain of command to pursue actions, concentrate thinking, and

shape decisions for the benefit of the organization by enlisting in the ROTC. Giving orders is

only a small part of what it takes to be a leader. There are several ways you can have an impact

on people. And lastly, respondents said that it would improve patriotism. The purpose of the

ROTC program is to lay a strong foundation for instilling nationalism and patriotism in young

people so they can grow up to be valuable members of society who have the abilities,

30
knowledge, and moral fiber to support and defend the national institutions and sovereignty of

their country.

Perceived Problems of the Students when ROTC will be implemented Mandatorily.

If mandatory ROTC is implemented, the respondents assume that "physical abuse and

violence" can possibly arise if they are joining ROTC. The other respondents also answered it

can affect their "physical and mental health". As noted in respondent 70’s answer,

“inconsideration of physical/medical issues such as asthma and other health problems.”

According to the various respondents of Senior High School students, the ROTC program can

"unbearable intense training and will just add unnecessary burden to students" as the statement of

respondent 18 goes “he does not feel comfortable with the suggestion of reinstating ROTC since

such journey might be unbearable due to intense physical training. However, he recognizes still

that it is essential for the protection of the country.” Additionally, "Sexism to the LGBTQ

members is also one of the perceived problems" because they believe of due to its contempt and

lack of compliance with the actual gender that is eligible for ROTC, many respondents oppose it

and don't agree with it. As noted in respondent 64’s answer, “it only promotes discrimination and

sexism especially to gay students.” Sexism refers to discrimination or prejudice based on gender

or sex, typically against women. Stanford Student Affairs (n.d.) Lastly, the respondents also said

that it gives "Threat to safety as Fraternity and Sorority is prone to arise with this kind of thing".

Since other gangs like these just want conflict due to their fighting prowess and expertise.

Respondent 76 said that “haze and abuse by cadet has a big possibility to happen.” Fraternities

and sororities, more importantly, have serious issues that need to be talked about more. Sexual

assault happens often in fraternities and racism, which is easily excused. One of the most

31
dangerous things in Greek life is hazing, known as the process of joining a sorority or fraternity.

Bruen, (2022).

CHAPTER V

SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS

This chapter presents an overall summary of the research work undertaken, the conclusions

drawn, and the recommendations made as an outgrowth on the Perceptions of Senior High

School Students in Ilocos Norte College of Arts and Trades to the Reinstatement of Mandatory

Reserve Officers training Corps Program.

Summary

The primary objective of this study was to determine the Perceptions of Senior High

School Students in Ilocos Norte College of Arts and Trades to the Reinstatement of Mandatory

Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Program. In addition, the findings and results of this study

provide an in-depth understanding of addressing their different perceptions and seeks to

determine how they view the said program.

To identify their different perceptions on how they view the said program, the researchers

used Snowball sampling technique to ensure the participation of all students in their respective

track and strand. Moreover, the researchers used a survey questionnaire as their data instrument,

and it was distributed to 94 Senior High School Students as their respondents in Ilocos Norte

College of Arts and Trades. Based on a thorough analyzation of data gathered, the following are

the researchers’ findings:

32
• It was revealed that the common reasons why a senior high school student agreed upon

its implementation are: will benefit their physical and character development, such as

alertness, bravery, being more skilled, disciplined, and respectful; Mobilize students for

military defense preparedness and disaster preparedness; Instills nationalism and

patriotism; An advanced practice to those who will take military-related courses in

college; And promote a culture of discipline and responsibility.

• The reasons behind those students who disagreed upon its mandatory implementation are:

it should not be mandatory but voluntary instead since not all have the same health

conditions; Add unnecessary burden to students; Not everyone seeks to be in a military

career; And intense training, journey might be unbearable.

• It was also revealed that the respondents recognized some of the benefits of joining this

program. These are learning the basics of self-defense, aids in their emotional and

physical fitness, help foster a culture of discipline and responsibility, good head start or

training ground to immerse themselves in pursuing a military career and develop

leadership and management skills.

• The perceived issues that might arise if ever that Mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training

Corps Program will be implemented are: Physical abuse and violence; Mental health

issues may arise due to stress during trainings; Inconsideration of physical/medical issues

such as asthma and other health problems; Unbearable intense training and will just add

unnecessary burden to students; Sexism to the LGBTQ members; And threat to safety as

Fraternity and Sorority is prone to arise with this kind of thing.

33
Conclusions

Based on the findings, the researchers drawn the following conclusions:

• The researcher concludes that the benefits of joining the mandatory ROTC namely, learn

the basic self-defense, culture of discipline and responsibility, to be a leader, military

preparedness.

o Learning the basic self-defense can be a benefit to the students of the mandatory

ROTC. It teaches them how to protect themselves physically and mentally.

Students can defend themselves in case of emergency.

o One of the benefits of ROTC to students is developing discipline and

responsibility. ROTC helps the students to be disciplined, gaining the ability to be

behave and have a controlled manner. ROTC trains the students to be disciplined

by implementing some rules and their responsibility to follow it.

o ROTC can also help the students to be a leader and help them to be more

independent. It can help the students to be responsible in performing their duties

too.

o Military preparedness will also the benefits of joining the mandatory ROTC.

Students who are exposed on trainings will have the opportunity to be prepared in

case of calamities and disasters.

• The researchers conclude that the perceived problems if ROTC will be implemented that

arose with our respondents namely, physical abuse and violence, burden to students, it

affect their physical and mental health, lack of financial, threat to safety as fraternity and

sorority.

34
 o Physical abuse and violence can be one of the reasons why students can't support

the mandatory ROTC.

o Burden to students is also one of the perceived problems of the students because

many of them have other responsibilities to work on. This problem can definitely

affect their studies. Instead of doing the school-works, some students spend their

time on training.

o Students also answered that it can affect their physical and mental health.

Students also said that mandatory ROTC can cause stress to some students.

During training it can affect their physical health such as increased heart and

blood pressure because of intense training.

o Students also answered that lack of finance is the perceived problem if the ROTC

will be mandatory implemented. Students may also struggle financially since

some of them have different income status.

Recommendations

Based on the findings and conclusion presented, the following recommendations are

suggested:

• The researchers recommend the Department of Education to devise approaches in a

way that accelerates dissemination of information or awareness about the frequently

asked questions regarding mandatory reserve officers training corps program. They

may organize various seminars to further informing the students about its benefits and

perceived problems that might arise and how are those can be prevented.

• The researchers suggests to the Department of Education, if ever that its

implementation was granted, it should be open for both male and females.
35
• The researchers suggest to the Cadet Officers to be mindful in their actions and not to

be very abusive and exploitative. Since one of the common reasons o those who

disagreed upon its mandatory implementation is “physical abuses.” They must not be

that overly tough to their students and be still a considerate officer.

• Finally, the researchers recommends to the future researchers to study about the

effects of Mandatory ROTC if ever was granted to be implemented in Senior High

Schools Department across the country.

36
 Bibliography

The Freeman (2022) ROTC inculcates values to prepare Filipino youth in nation-building. The

freeman. https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/opinion/2022/09/08/2208142/rotc-inculcates-

values-prepare-filipino-youth-nation-building

From AR 600-20 Army Command Policy 4–20. Hazing. https://sccr.dso.ufl.edu/wp-

content/uploads/sites/4/2017/08/army-policy-hazing.pdf

Montesi J. (October 25, 2018) ROTC Benefits: The Financial and Personal Advantages of

Participation. https://www.apu.edu/articles/rotc-benefits-the-financial-and-personal-advantages-

of-participation/

Bruen M. (June 7, 2022) The Lamp Online. The Toxicity of Fraternities and

Sororities.https://hclamponline.com/4138/features/the-toxicity-of-fraternities-and-

sororities/#:~:text=Fraternities%20and%20sororities%2C%20more%20importantly,joining%20a

%20sorority%20or%20fraternity.

37