The Department of Health (DOH) said on Tuesday that the claim of Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) as a possible cure for mental health problems varies for every student.

This was after Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said that the program can help those who were suffering from mental health problems be trained in their survival instinct.

"Ang masasabi ko lang, it’s not going to be the same for every person. Iba-iba ang capacity ng isang tao to respond and to become resilient on their own. Iba-iba rin ang mga kailangan bawat tao para sila ay maging mentally healthy," DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said.

She also mentioned being in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd) to make sure that the mental health of students is uplifted.

“Hindi naman kailangan laging ginagamot. Hindi kailangang i-discriminate. Just the counseling minsan ay nakakatulong na para sa ating mga estudyante,” officer-in-charge added.

On Tuesday, Galvez clarified his statement, saying that the program will build students' "character and resilience" and not serve as a "cure" for mental health problems.

"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, Feb. 6, of the word "cure" for mental health issues," he said in a statement.