Dela Rosa wants ₱4.2B in free uniforms under mandatory ROTC

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 21) – The government may allot ₱4.2 billion for free uniforms yearly if the proposed mandatory Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program becomes law, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said on Thursday.

“Kung mag [If it will] materialize, every year we’re going to budget ₱4.2B for uniforms alone for cadets,” Dela Rosa, sponsor of the ROTC bill, told the Senate finance subcommittee’s hearing on the proposed budget of the Department of Science and Technology and its attached agencies.

The senator said the uniforms should be locally sourced, something that was welcomed by the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI).

“The industry will be very very happy, they just want an assured market locally,” PTRI Director Julius Leaño said.

Dela Rosa said the PTRI may also bring down the cost of uniforms.

The bill requiring ROTC for students enrolled in at least two years of undergraduate degree is pending in the Senate plenary.