Letters to Yano
#Yano14391
To our respected ROTC Officials and Officers,
We, your cadets, come before you today not with complaints, but with a genuine request for understanding and consideration. We know you dedicate yourselves to shaping us into responsible citizens and leaders, and we deeply respect your commitment. However, we believe it is crucial to share the profound impact the current ROTC program is having on our lives, hoping that you might see us not just as cadets, but as individuals with unique circumstances and pressing needs.
We understand the importance of discipline, leadership, and service, and we are not questioning the value of these principles. What we are struggling with is the overwhelming time commitment and the sense of obligation that many of us feel, often against our will. It's a heavy burden that weighs on our minds and hearts, impacting our studies, our families, and our overall well-being.
The current program demands a significant amount of our time, five hours every Saturday, and sometimes even whole day consumed by drills and activities. For many of us, this is time we simply cannot afford to give. We are students striving to balance our academic responsibilities, often working part-time jobs to support ourselves and our families. Every hour spent in ROTC is an hour taken away from studying, earning money, or simply resting.
Those cadets who lives far, spending a significant portion of their money, and mag kulang pa jud siya on transportation, sacrificing meals or other necessities to fulfill their ROTC obligations. The cadet who is also surviving in daily life, juggling their studies, work, and family responsibilities, struggling to find even a moment for themselves amidst the demands of the program.
We know you believe in the importance of physical fitness and training, but we also believe that our mental and emotional health is equally important. We are finding it challenging to balance the program's requirements with our need for personal time and rest, which is affecting our overall well-being. We are exhausted, stressed, and often feel like we are sacrificing our personal lives for a program that we did not choose.
We understand that some may say, "If you don't like it, quit." But it's not that simple. Many of us feel trapped, fearing the consequences of leaving the program or facing pressure from family and peers to continue. We also believe that voicing our concerns is essential for positive change. How can we improve the program if we remain silent about the challenges we face?
We're not asking for the ROTC program to be removed or made less important. We know it's valuable and respect it. We simply want you to consider and understand our situation, and be willing to find solutions. Maybe we can reduce the time required or offer more flexible schedules.
Also, about the absences, we're really hoping you can understand that it's tough for many of us to make it in on Saturdays. We'd appreciate it if you could be a little lenient, knowing we're doing our best to be there.
It's important to remember Section 4, Article II of the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines, which states that the government may call upon citizens to defend the state, but it also emphasizes the importance of service under conditions provided by law. We believe that forcing students into a program that places undue hardship on their lives goes against the spirit of this constitutional provision.
We know you are busy and have many responsibilities, but we implore you to listen to our voices and hear our concerns. We are not just cadets; we are students, individuals, and members of your community. We are the future of this nation, and by showing us compassion and understanding, you are investing in that future. A program that respects our well-being and individual circumstances will ultimately produce more dedicated and effective leaders.
Thank you for taking the time to read the letter, po. We hope you will consider our plea with an open mind and a compassionate heart. This comes with our sincere hope and respect.
Hopefully, this will be posted; please keep me anonymous. Thank you!
發表於: Nov. 24, 2025, 1:19 p.m.