Marcos slammed for prioritizing mandatory ROTC over SUC budget

September 30, 2024 , 06:04 PM

By Rodolfo Dacleson II

(September 30, 2024) – Kabataan Party-list on Monday slammed the urgency to pass a measure seeking to reinstate mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) amid the impending budget cut for state universities and colleges (SUCs).

Kabataan executive vice president Renee Louise Co. said Pres. Bongbong Marcos Jr.’s decision to prioritize the passing of Senate Bill No. 2034 or the ROTC Act worth over P61 billion was “insulting” to the 28 SUCs that will face an over P14 billion budget slash.

“Marcos Jr. is willing to commit more than four times the budget needed by SUCs with cuts for a program that abused and killed students in the past,” said Co in a media release.

SUCs will receive a lower allocation of P113.75 billion for next year from the current budget of P128.23 billion.

In a radio interview on Sunday, Sen. Francis Tolentino revealed that Marcos gave his signal to prioritize SB 2034. He noted that it was not prioritized due to the maritime rift between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea.

He maintained that mandatory ROTC will help the Filipino youth develop patriotism.

Co, however, said the argument is misplaced.

“Paano magiging makabayan ang kabataan na ‘di makapag-aral ng kasaysayan o makapag-isip ng sariling ambag sa bayan kung bulok at ‘di sapat ang mga pasilidad?” said Co. “Love for (the) country is not gained from love for the military.”

Last August, Kabataan filed a resolution seeking to stop the cut to the SUC budget.

ALSO READ: Kabataan seeks restoration of 2025 budget cuts for SUCs, cites learning crisis

The administration, meanwhile, allocated over P419 billion for the defense sector next year—an increase of nearly 51% from P278 billion this year.

Co, who will run as Kabataan’s first nominee in next year’s elections, expressed hope that students will get the same treatment as military personnel.

“Dagdag-espasyo at serbisyo para sa mga estudyante, kalayaang akademiko, at pagbigay-daan sa pag-oorganisa at pakikilahok ng mga estudyante batay sa mga isyung panlipunan, sa NSTP (National Service Training Program) man o labas nito, ang kailangan para isulong muli ang nasyonalismo,” said Co.

(PM)

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