A Department of National Defense (DND) official discussed with the Senate his concern regarding the 'enormous requirements' for implementing mandatory Reserve Officers Training Course (ROTC) in colleges.

"Kung i-implement natin ‘yung Basic ROTC program na mandatory, kaya ba ng Armed Forces? We talk about manpower, financial, logistics because to run this program, the requirement is really enormous," Defense Undersecretary Franco Gacal raised in the hearing of the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical, and Vocational Education on Wednesday, Jan 25.

Considering over 2,400 higher education institutions in the country, he addressed the need for 9,000 to 10,000 military personnel to assign four officials to each school.

Senator Ronald dela Rosa defended the provision saying it is attainable as this was already implemented before.

Gascal, however, underlined mandatory ROTC was then possible because there were few institutions implementing the provision.

"I am talking about empirical data right now. Kasi ayaw natin gagawa tayo ng programa na pag sinubo natin sa Armed Forces baka siya namang babalikan natin ang Armed Forces," said the Undersecretary.

Gacal's concern was negatively taken by Dela Rosa as he called out the DND official for his 'attitude' and declining the responsibility.

“Pinag-uusapan natin sa ROTC, tapos kayo pala sa Defense ayaw pala niyo. Gusto niyo ibigay ang trabaho sa CHED, sa TESDA, E di wag na! Tama na to, Tama na usapan pag ganun attitude ninyo,” the senator said.

After the hearing, Dela Rosa confirmed that he apologized to Gacal and called their discussion a misunderstanding.