University of the Philippines (UP) students under the Reserved Officers Training Corps (ROTC) perform a military drill on April 30, 2017 at the Diliman campus in Quezon City. Manny Palmero, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA -- The Department of National Defense (DND) has asked the Senate to go slow in legislating the bill making the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) mandatory once more, Senate President Francis Escudero revealed, as the cost of its implementation may run up to P8 billion a year or about P27 billion until 2029.

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The Senate chief said this was part of his discussions with Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) officials when they met Wednesday.

"Ayon kay Secretary Teodoro, mahigit P8 billion ang kinakailangan para lubusang mapatupad ito sa kada taon at para lubusang mapatupad ito... Mangangailangan ng humigit-kumulang 27B, na kung susuriin natin, malaking ambag na ito halimbawa sa ating mga state universities and colleges imbes na nasa isang aspeto lamang. Nais din nilang irekomenda na hindi daw dapat automatic papasok sa reserve ang mga ROTC dahil hindi nila kakayaning i-absorb," Escudero said.

He added that the AFP already has backlogs in accommodating those who applied to be reservists under the National Service Training Program (NSTP) program.

"Ayaw na rin nila yung dating ginawa [na] kung maalala niyo, 'yung mga umabot sa ROTC, kada eskwelahan may naka-assign na trabaho," he added. "Sa katunayan, sabi nila ay dahan-dahanin daw dahil baka mamaya nga 'di rin nila ma-absorb 'yung kinakailangang reservists kung saka-sakali na maga-graduate sa programang ito," Escudero explained.

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Escudero gave media an idea of where the cost would go.

"We can make it available for you. Combat boots, uniform, allowance, stipend ng mga magte-train and other office supplies. Naka-breakdown sila per year at para nga raw ma-fully implement ito, 3 taon ang kinakailangan. 'Di ito pwede ma-implement sa loob ng isang taon lang," the Senate chief emphasized.

According to a handout of the Office of the Senate President, the total estimated cost for the full implementation of mandatory ROTC amounts to more than P27 billion.

Some of the items in the costing include billeting/venue, travel expense plus per diems of core group students, professional fee for subject matter expense, provision for info kit, other admin requirements, supervisory, POL and immersion, pay and allowances, insurance, belts, buckles, combat boots, shirts, and socks.

Escudero also explained that lawmakers will have to weigh the potential cost against other funding priorities.

"May P8 billion bang mahahanap para sa ROTC dahil tiyak ko kailangan natin ng 8B sa marami pang bagay at isa nga ba ito sa uunahin dapat ng Kongreso?" he asked.

Escudero, who is known to be against the mandatory ROTC bill, said funding its implementation would be tough given that other crucial sectors like health, education, social services, and even the upcoming elections also need huge financing.

"May budgetary requirements bago tayo maka-accommodate ng reserves, 'yan ang matagal ko na sinasabi. Di pwedeng  porke't naisipan ay gagawin na lamang agad natin, dapat dalhin natin hanggang sa dulo at sukdulan ika nga para makita kaya nga ba pwede ba at dapat nga ba," he noted.

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Aligning ROTC with OCD

Moreover, the Senate chief said the DND wants to align the ROTC with the Office of Civil Defense for disaster preparedness, which is already under the NSTP.

"Ang mas gusto actually ng Department of National Defense, ayon kay Sec. Teodoro, ay iugnay sila sa OCD para sa disaster preparedness and response. Pero kung ganoon talaga ang gagawin eh 'di NSTP 'yun at hindi ROTC," Escudero said, adding some DND officials favor giving the NSTP another shot. "Para sa ilang opisyal, ilang opisyal sa DND ay sang ayon sa sinabi mo na subukan at bigyan pa natin ng tsansa ang NTSP."

He added there are also other items in the bill that have to be addressed, but it has enough numbers to pass the Senate.

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In addition, Escudero shared that DND suggested to separate AFP from other uniformed personnel in the military and uniformed personnel (MUP) pension reform bill. He said the lawmakers will study the recommendation and he hopes they can tackle it before the 19th Congress adjournment.

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He also mentioned Teodoro's ideas on funding the pension reform, such as the monetization of unused camps and the sale of bonds.

"Natalakay din pala namin 'yung mga makabagong ideya niya kaugnay ng pagre-raise ng funds para sa MUP gamit ang mga pag-aari at ari-arian ng AFP, gayundin 'yung pag-raise ng pondo para sa modernization sa pamamagitan ng private bonds mga bangko," Escudero said.

Additionally, Teodoro also wants the Senate to remove the allocation for the AFP  Modernization Program from the unprogrammed funds which can only be tapped if government can raise funds.

The 2025 National Expenditure Program earmarks P75 billion for the AFP Modernization Program, of which P25 billion is unprogrammed.