Tabloid Issue Vol XL No 3
By Priminelle De Leon, Clarisse Inao, and Florence Vila
It is the same old story of an organization within the state university that is struggling for sustenance. Almost two years had passed since Pacesetter first detailed the inadequacies and woes behind the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program of the university. It seems, though, that their pleas fell on deaf ears.
“Kasi isipin mo naman, gamit na gamit ang ROTC sa’tin pero nakikita namin na parang wala lang,” grieved a cadet. True enough, while cadets scramble to do service to the university, they feel short-changed at times wherein the lack of support is very much apparent.
Here though, is a different perspective. Scrap the whining, for wanting to be protectors of Filipino sovereignty and public servants, thousands of patriotic hearts defied the odds and had undergone ROTC program in Bulacan State University (BulSU). They train, they march, they help, they marshal… and lastly, they too, fall on hard times. But they never break. Here is a tale of continued woes, of a spirit unbent by the lack of support, of a heart that is pledged to the call of Inangbayan.
Still reporting for duty
From the point of view of an ordinary student, it may be speculated that the ROTC program is doing great; the state of military reserves of the country is all set in case of worst-case situations. In fact, aside from being reservists, ROTC graduates also gain advantages from the training they got during their time in the organization.
“Kasi may mga training kami na ina – attendan. Siguro magiging advantage na din ‘yon, kunyari sa pagiging criminology ko, ‘yong training na na- adopt ko dito sa ROTC pwede kong magamit. Magiging advantage na din,” said Mirasol Valencia, former Headquarters Commandant and ROTC graduate, something that can only be expected, especially when the ROTC troop in BulSU is considered as one of the best groups in the region, maintaining a good performance in the tactical inspection through the years.
“Noong last tactical ranking, nasa top 3 pa rin tayo, at noong ROTC summer camp training for officers, may pumasa tayong apat [officer] for Army, kung saan nag- training sila with advance officers,” added Senior Tactical Officer Marvin Tullao of the BulSU ROTC, proudly noting that among the 280 chosen officers from regions one to four, two among the top ten delegates are from BulSU.
For 39 years that BulSU has remained compliant with Section 38 and 39 of Republic Act No. 7077 that created the ROTC, its own program has been continuously training students who are expected to be 24/7 alert to render their service to the country in times of need. Aside from being reservists, it is also created to provide military training to tertiary level students for national defense preparedness. It is designed to train, to organize, and to mobilize.
“Ang ROTC ay ginawa upang palakasin ang reserve component ng ating defense. Once na grumaduate sila ng ROTC, nagiging stand by reservist sila. Kailangan pa nila sumailalim sa maraming training. Ang purpose lang nila ay ‘pag mayroong kalamidad, sila ‘yong mga tutulong,” explained Tullao.
From the looks of it, all is well, then, isn’t it? But we digress.
“Pinapakita namin ‘yong best namin para tumulong dito sa university, kahit ini-itsa-pwera lang kami, alam namin sa sarili namin na nakakatulong kami,” lamented Shaira Camile Tiamzon, a Cadet Officer Qualifying Corps (COQC), aiming to be one of the ROTC officers someday.
The armor cracks
“Maraming kulang na gamit. Nakikita kasi namin na ang kumikilos lang ay estudyante pero alam natin ‘di ba na dapat may suporta mula ng university. Kasi noong nag-training kami no’ong May, halos lahat ng batch naming ROTC Cadet sa ibang school eh sustentado ng university [nila],” lamented Acting Corps Commander C/LTC Mahid Sultan. Also, limited supplies and things such as mere lightings and ventilations are also problems they face to at least maintain their office.
It seems like even if one has the desire to serve his countrymen in case of emergencies, if his reach is constrained, it will be useless. An organization can’t stand on its own and provide for all of their needs when funds are limited. And BulSU-ROTC has plenty of ground to begin its tale of inadequacies.
Since joining ROTC is optional, the number of cadets is experiencing a huge decline, thus they have a very tight budget which they get from a certain percentage of the cadet’s tuition fees. Thus, this is the root cause of the insufficiencies they are experiencing in terms of equipment and other needs.
As of now, the number of rifles and other equipments are just enough due to the small number of cadets. But lack of equipment is a projected problem in the future if ever the digits go up from the current number of 400 cadets.
Aside from these evident shortages for them, they also see themselves as a worn out organization as what Corps Executive Officer, Matthew Caballero said. “Kunwari may request na marshall sa may ganitong [uri ng] program. Sa labas ng school naman meron tayong tinatawag na tree planting, ‘yong ROTC is nagpa-participate. ‘Yong mga by college, meron silang program, pupunta dito sa’min, magre-request ng marshall o kaya kahit anong college dito na gusto ng [entrance of] colors, nagpo-provide kami.”
With this, Sultan said that he could not blame the other members of their group if they could not sometimes function properly.
On the issue of benefits, the ROTC senior tactical officer cleared that only those officers that passed the test of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) can receive scholarship grants. Furthermore, he has other plans for the trainees, “May request din kami sa office na sana kahit kaunti, like half-scholar mabigyan sila, dahil nakikita namin na ‘yong mga bata ay ‘di gaanong well-off. Ang gusto namin ay masuportahan din sila,” said Tullao.
“Pagpalagay na natin do’n sa mga supply ng gamit, ‘di kailangan magpondo ang mga estudyante para makabili lang sila,” said Sultan, saying that expenses on uniforms and equipments such as swords shouldn’t be shouldered by students, “Kung sakali may scholarship, siguro sampal na sa mukha niya ‘yon kung ‘di pa siya a- attend. Hindi ko rin sila masisisi,” he continued.
Despite the seemingly difficult situation of the students taking ROTC, there are still some cadet officers like Tiamzon, who offer themselves in serving the university wholeheartedly without expecting anything in return.
“Ngayon po habang nandito ako ‘yong mga hirap na naranasan ko na no’ng nagsisimula pa lang ako, ipinagpapatuloy ko na lang kasi kung mag-quit man ako dito sayang naman ‘yong mga naranasan ko na saka yung mga pinaghirapan ko. Kahit hindi man kami nabibigyan ng attention ng admin okay lang,” mused Tiamzon.
Bench-generals speak
In response to all the complaints of the ROTC previously cited, President Mariano de Jesus clarified that there are actually ways to solve their dilemmas in which such means requires them to take the first step.
“It is a matter of requesting to us what they need. Ang pinakamaganda n’yan mag- base mark sila from other schools. Tapos kung ano ‘yong natutunan nila sa ibang schools then you propose to us. Then they make a report, they make a request to make it formal. Tutal kayo mga military so you do not act on words alone it must be by action,” stated De Jesus.
On the issue of the lack of funds, De Jesus emphasized the fact that the NSTP fund paid by the students in their NSTP fee is solely used for the NSTP alone, “To be honest sobra- sobra ang pera ng NSTP. Hindi nagagamit ng mabuti. ‘Pag fiduciary hindi ko pwedeng gamitin sa iba ‘yon. Bilanggo ang labas ko no’n, kaya if it is for NSTP alone, do’n ko lang gagamitin ‘yong pera. At sa totoo lang hindi masyadong nama- maximize.”
For National Service Training Program (NSTP) Director Jessia Chosaz, it shouldn’t be that way. The NSTP fund should be available to all its three components, whether it is Civil Welfare Training Service, Literacy Training Service, or ROTC.
“Maganda sana ‘yong gano’n para magkaroon ng gamit like rifle at iba pa. ‘Yon ang request namin sa admin for approval. Mahirap kasi kapag ‘yong pondo, kakaunti lang. ‘Yong number ng kadete multiplied by the percentage,” agreed Tullao as he further added that they are now drafting a letter of request to the administration.
Semper Fidelis, soldiers
ROTC cadets are expected to exemplify the deepest sense of patriotism, as they are also expected to render their service selflessly. Nationalism is another kind of love that one can offer to his dear country without anything in return; as such it is also pure volunteerism. Benefits and perks have never been the soldiers’ motivation in risking their lives to protect the land everybody calls home. However, it is also not wrong to give them their due in the form of support.
Patriotism can only do so much. How can a soldier dedicate his life to defend others if the “others” he is fighting to defend won’t even lift a finger to help or even show support? It is true that patriotism should be selfless; however, it is not a license for other people to be selfish. Selflessness should run on both courses. ROTC cadets are still human beings that need an assurance of support.
Stand fast, soldiers.
By Priminelle De Leon, Clarisse Inao, and Florence Vila
It is the same old story of an organization within the state university that is struggling for sustenance. Almost two years had passed since Pacesetter first detailed the inadequacies and woes behind the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program of the university. It seems, though, that their pleas fell on deaf ears.
“Kasi isipin mo naman, gamit na gamit ang ROTC sa’tin pero nakikita namin na parang wala lang,” grieved a cadet. True enough, while cadets scramble to do service to the university, they feel short-changed at times wherein the lack of support is very much apparent.
Here though, is a different perspective. Scrap the whining, for wanting to be protectors of Filipino sovereignty and public servants, thousands of patriotic hearts defied the odds and had undergone ROTC program in Bulacan State University (BulSU). They train, they march, they help, they marshal… and lastly, they too, fall on hard times. But they never break. Here is a tale of continued woes, of a spirit unbent by the lack of support, of a heart that is pledged to the call of Inangbayan.
Still reporting for duty
From the point of view of an ordinary student, it may be speculated that the ROTC program is doing great; the state of military reserves of the country is all set in case of worst-case situations. In fact, aside from being reservists, ROTC graduates also gain advantages from the training they got during their time in the organization.
“Kasi may mga training kami na ina – attendan. Siguro magiging advantage na din ‘yon, kunyari sa pagiging criminology ko, ‘yong training na na- adopt ko dito sa ROTC pwede kong magamit. Magiging advantage na din,” said Mirasol Valencia, former Headquarters Commandant and ROTC graduate, something that can only be expected, especially when the ROTC troop in BulSU is considered as one of the best groups in the region, maintaining a good performance in the tactical inspection through the years.
“Noong last tactical ranking, nasa top 3 pa rin tayo, at noong ROTC summer camp training for officers, may pumasa tayong apat [officer] for Army, kung saan nag- training sila with advance officers,” added Senior Tactical Officer Marvin Tullao of the BulSU ROTC, proudly noting that among the 280 chosen officers from regions one to four, two among the top ten delegates are from BulSU.
For 39 years that BulSU has remained compliant with Section 38 and 39 of Republic Act No. 7077 that created the ROTC, its own program has been continuously training students who are expected to be 24/7 alert to render their service to the country in times of need. Aside from being reservists, it is also created to provide military training to tertiary level students for national defense preparedness. It is designed to train, to organize, and to mobilize.
“Ang ROTC ay ginawa upang palakasin ang reserve component ng ating defense. Once na grumaduate sila ng ROTC, nagiging stand by reservist sila. Kailangan pa nila sumailalim sa maraming training. Ang purpose lang nila ay ‘pag mayroong kalamidad, sila ‘yong mga tutulong,” explained Tullao.
From the looks of it, all is well, then, isn’t it? But we digress.
“Pinapakita namin ‘yong best namin para tumulong dito sa university, kahit ini-itsa-pwera lang kami, alam namin sa sarili namin na nakakatulong kami,” lamented Shaira Camile Tiamzon, a Cadet Officer Qualifying Corps (COQC), aiming to be one of the ROTC officers someday.
The armor cracks
“Maraming kulang na gamit. Nakikita kasi namin na ang kumikilos lang ay estudyante pero alam natin ‘di ba na dapat may suporta mula ng university. Kasi noong nag-training kami no’ong May, halos lahat ng batch naming ROTC Cadet sa ibang school eh sustentado ng university [nila],” lamented Acting Corps Commander C/LTC Mahid Sultan. Also, limited supplies and things such as mere lightings and ventilations are also problems they face to at least maintain their office.
It seems like even if one has the desire to serve his countrymen in case of emergencies, if his reach is constrained, it will be useless. An organization can’t stand on its own and provide for all of their needs when funds are limited. And BulSU-ROTC has plenty of ground to begin its tale of inadequacies.
Since joining ROTC is optional, the number of cadets is experiencing a huge decline, thus they have a very tight budget which they get from a certain percentage of the cadet’s tuition fees. Thus, this is the root cause of the insufficiencies they are experiencing in terms of equipment and other needs.
As of now, the number of rifles and other equipments are just enough due to the small number of cadets. But lack of equipment is a projected problem in the future if ever the digits go up from the current number of 400 cadets.
Aside from these evident shortages for them, they also see themselves as a worn out organization as what Corps Executive Officer, Matthew Caballero said. “Kunwari may request na marshall sa may ganitong [uri ng] program. Sa labas ng school naman meron tayong tinatawag na tree planting, ‘yong ROTC is nagpa-participate. ‘Yong mga by college, meron silang program, pupunta dito sa’min, magre-request ng marshall o kaya kahit anong college dito na gusto ng [entrance of] colors, nagpo-provide kami.”
With this, Sultan said that he could not blame the other members of their group if they could not sometimes function properly.
On the issue of benefits, the ROTC senior tactical officer cleared that only those officers that passed the test of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) can receive scholarship grants. Furthermore, he has other plans for the trainees, “May request din kami sa office na sana kahit kaunti, like half-scholar mabigyan sila, dahil nakikita namin na ‘yong mga bata ay ‘di gaanong well-off. Ang gusto namin ay masuportahan din sila,” said Tullao.
“Pagpalagay na natin do’n sa mga supply ng gamit, ‘di kailangan magpondo ang mga estudyante para makabili lang sila,” said Sultan, saying that expenses on uniforms and equipments such as swords shouldn’t be shouldered by students, “Kung sakali may scholarship, siguro sampal na sa mukha niya ‘yon kung ‘di pa siya a- attend. Hindi ko rin sila masisisi,” he continued.
Despite the seemingly difficult situation of the students taking ROTC, there are still some cadet officers like Tiamzon, who offer themselves in serving the university wholeheartedly without expecting anything in return.
“Ngayon po habang nandito ako ‘yong mga hirap na naranasan ko na no’ng nagsisimula pa lang ako, ipinagpapatuloy ko na lang kasi kung mag-quit man ako dito sayang naman ‘yong mga naranasan ko na saka yung mga pinaghirapan ko. Kahit hindi man kami nabibigyan ng attention ng admin okay lang,” mused Tiamzon.
Bench-generals speak
In response to all the complaints of the ROTC previously cited, President Mariano de Jesus clarified that there are actually ways to solve their dilemmas in which such means requires them to take the first step.
“It is a matter of requesting to us what they need. Ang pinakamaganda n’yan mag- base mark sila from other schools. Tapos kung ano ‘yong natutunan nila sa ibang schools then you propose to us. Then they make a report, they make a request to make it formal. Tutal kayo mga military so you do not act on words alone it must be by action,” stated De Jesus.
On the issue of the lack of funds, De Jesus emphasized the fact that the NSTP fund paid by the students in their NSTP fee is solely used for the NSTP alone, “To be honest sobra- sobra ang pera ng NSTP. Hindi nagagamit ng mabuti. ‘Pag fiduciary hindi ko pwedeng gamitin sa iba ‘yon. Bilanggo ang labas ko no’n, kaya if it is for NSTP alone, do’n ko lang gagamitin ‘yong pera. At sa totoo lang hindi masyadong nama- maximize.”
For National Service Training Program (NSTP) Director Jessia Chosaz, it shouldn’t be that way. The NSTP fund should be available to all its three components, whether it is Civil Welfare Training Service, Literacy Training Service, or ROTC.
“Maganda sana ‘yong gano’n para magkaroon ng gamit like rifle at iba pa. ‘Yon ang request namin sa admin for approval. Mahirap kasi kapag ‘yong pondo, kakaunti lang. ‘Yong number ng kadete multiplied by the percentage,” agreed Tullao as he further added that they are now drafting a letter of request to the administration.
Semper Fidelis, soldiers
ROTC cadets are expected to exemplify the deepest sense of patriotism, as they are also expected to render their service selflessly. Nationalism is another kind of love that one can offer to his dear country without anything in return; as such it is also pure volunteerism. Benefits and perks have never been the soldiers’ motivation in risking their lives to protect the land everybody calls home. However, it is also not wrong to give them their due in the form of support.
Patriotism can only do so much. How can a soldier dedicate his life to defend others if the “others” he is fighting to defend won’t even lift a finger to help or even show support? It is true that patriotism should be selfless; however, it is not a license for other people to be selfish. Selflessness should run on both courses. ROTC cadets are still human beings that need an assurance of support.
Stand fast, soldiers.