Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. expressed concerns regarding the crafting the proposed ROTC Program
“We have learned of the sensitivities raised by our mental health practitioners and advocates on what they believe is the improper use at the Senate hearing on Monday, February 6, of the word “cure” for mental health issues. We fully understand and appreciate their concerns, as mental health is an issue that affects the broadest spectrum of society. We would therefore like to address certain misconceptions which have surfaced and clarify our agency’s position regarding this matter,” he said.
Galvez added: “What we intended to convey during the hearing was that through our enhanced Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Program, we would be able to build the strength of character and resilience of our trainees, qualities which positively foster mental health. Further, as a policy and program of the national government, the ROTC Program aims to develop among the trainees the basic psychosocial support competencies that are crucial in responding to stressful situations and contexts.”
The ROTC Training Program that we envision at the Department of National Defense (DND) includes courses which are specifically designed to foster resilience, self-leadership, character-building, and discipline, he explained.
“We believe these are virtues that our trainees must cultivate not only for their personal growth and development as individuals, but more importantly, enable them to play a key role in building a just, humane and democratic society. Finally, we would like to assure our fellow Filipinos that the DND leadership shall carefully take into account the spirit of RA 11036 (Mental Health Act of 2018) and the issues raised by our mental health experts in the crafting of our ROTC Training Program,” Galvez added. (VICTOR BALDEMOR RUIZ)
