Senate bill wants 2-year required military, police training for college, techvoc students

MANILA,  Philippines — A two-year mandatory basic military and police training program for all college and technical vocational students is being proposed in the Senate.

Students who fail to undergo the training program would not be qualified for graduation, according to Senate Bill No. 1565 filed by Senator  Francis Tolentino.

Tolentino explained that his proposed measure aims to increase the awareness of students on the country’s need for human resources in times of war, calamities and disasters, and national or local emergencies.

This, he added, is also in support of the government’s law enforcement strategy against crimes and other civic obligations.

“The proposed bill provides safeguards for the protection of all higher and technical vocational students against abuses such as bribery, corruption, graft, hazing, sexual harassment, and others which had become the concern of the public in the past,”  the senator said.

“With this proposed measure, the youth – the hope of our motherland – will rekindle in their hearts their love of country and fellow citizens, nationalism and patriotism, and will once again make their mark in the annals of history,” Tolentino  added.