Effective school year 2007-2008, the National Service Training Program for the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (NSTP-ROTC) of Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan will be handled by the Philippine Air Force.
The change of XU’s NSTP-ROTC military branch of service to PAF from the Philippine Army is specified in a memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed by Fr. Jose Ramon T. Villarin, S.J., XU President, and Lt. Gen. Horacio S. Tolentino, PAF Commanding General on July 11, this year.
“In order to do this, PAF will organize, create and establish its 8th Air Reserve Center (ARCEN) to be based in the city,” Lt. Col. Raul T. Del Rosario, Commander, PAF’s Tactical Operations Group in Northern Mindanao (TOG-10) said.
During its initial year, the 8th ARCEN will not accept and handle any other school and/or university, to stabilize the establishment of the XU-ROTC. But once it starts handling other school/ROTC units, it should give the latter priority and the level of its support should not diminish, Del Rosario also said
Meanwhile, the XU-PAF MOA provides that regardless of the number of its ROTC enrollees, XU will continue to be a main/mother unit and shall not be placed as a satellite/affiliated unit nor be placed under a different school or be clustered together with other schools.
Among others, XU’s obligations include the establishment of an adequate and presentable office for its ROTC unit with facilities like toilet, light and water which are free of charge relative to the conduct of the training of college students as pre requisite for graduation in a baccalaureate degree.
It will also allocate 100% of the total ROTC fees collected from the students for use in its operation, which will be determined yearly through budget hearings of XU and the ROTC Commandant.
Similarly, XU will provide a training ground, classrooms and a secured armory, free of charge or allocate funds for rental of a suitable training ground chargeable against the 30% of the total ROTC fees, in case it cannot provide for the same.
Moreover, the MOA provides that XU releases funds intended for the training activities of the ROTC in accordance with the approved Program of Expenditure by the ROTC Commandant, duly approved by the XU Administration per guidelines set by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
It also provides that XU specifies the chain of command from the ROTC Commandant to the next higher office and conduct an annual evaluation of all members of the PAF Training Staff assigned to its ROTC unit, the results of which will be used to gauge effective measures, including possible staff replacement, to improve the formation of cadets.
your ads here (468x60) - after 1st post.