DECLARING 2012 AS THE “RESERVE OFFICERS TRAINING COURSE (ROTC) CENTENNIAL YEAR” AND OBSERVING IT ANNUALLY THEREAFTER DURING THE MONTH OF MARCH

WHEREAS, the Reserve Officers Training Course
(ROTC) Program
traces its beginnings to the establishment of military training at the
University of the Philippines in Manila in 1912;

WHEREAS, this initial training led to the adoption of the
ROTC Program in other schools;

WHEREAS, the ROTC Program was approved by the Commonwealth
Government and was adopted by other universities;

WHEREAS, the graduates and cadets of the ROTC Program served
the
country during the Battle of Corregidor and continued on in the jungles
of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao;

WHEREAS, the graduates of the ROTC Program served in the
wars in Korea and Vietnam in defense of freedom and democracy;

WHEREAS, the graduates and cadets of the ROTC Program made
significant contributions as peacekeepers in support of the United
Nations mandate of promoting international peace and security;

WHEREAS, the ROTC Program has produced leaders, commanders,
managers and administrators among our youth in the fields of civilian
and uniformed government service, commerce and industry, and the
academe; and

WHEREAS, the graduates and cadets of the ROTC Program are
always
in the forefront of providing voluntary service to our country in terms
of disaster preparedness and response, community development and
environmental protection.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BENIGNO S. AQUINO, III, President of the
Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby
declare 2012 as the “Reserve Officers Training Course (ROTC) Centennial
Year.” Thereafter, the ROTC month shall be observed annually during the
month of March.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused
the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

DONE, in the City of Manila, this 16 th day of February, in
the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Twelve.

 

(SGD.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III
President of the Philippines

By the President:

(SGD.) PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR.
Executive Secretary