The Department of Education (DepEd) chief in Bohol on Friday expressed optimism that the mandatory Reserved Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program will keep students from taking up vices.

Amid the Duterte administration efforts to revive the ROTC, Wilfreda Bongalos, Bohol schools division superintendent, said that participation in the program will help keep students preoccupied and away from illegal drugs.

According to Bongalos, the ROTC will be among opportunities for students to contribute to society and will prepare them should the country be needing their services to boost national defense.

The program will train students to become reservists and potential commissioned officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

On Tuesday, Pres. Rodrigo Duterte expressed his approval pushing for the mandatory ROTC program for grades 11 and 12.

“The approval by the President came after the members discussed the issue thoroughly,” said Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol in a Facebook statement posted following a Cabinet meeting on the issue.

The plan has been deemed “certified urgent” by Duterte as it is passed to get the approval of both chambers of Congress.

In 2001, the mandatory ROTC participation was stopped in the wake of a scandal involving a University of Santo Tomas student who was found dead after exposing alleged corruption within his unit. (Rey Tutas)