Senate building (PNA file photo)
MANILA – Senator Robinhood Padilla on Thursday led the launching of a Basic Citizen Military Training (BCMT) program for Senate officials and employees, which will start this month up to June this year.
Padilla, a reserve Lieutenant Colonel of the Philippine Army, said the BCMT aims to establish formal, actual, and physical training for Senate officials and employees who will sign up for the program.
"Kahit sa Senado maumpisahan natin Citizens Military Training, di lang sa usaping giyera kundi pati sa calamities and mga (Even here in the Senate we can start the Citizens Military Training, not only for war, but also for calamities and) emergencies," he said in an interview.
Padilla said 161 individuals have already signed up for the BCMT and he is looking forward to recruiting at least 300 employees.
The lawmaker sees the trainees as a backup for the Senate's Office of Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) during an untoward incident who can contribute to the safety of around 2,000 Senate employees.
"Para sa akin, dapat lahat tayo dito handa kung anong pwede mangyari (For me, all of us here should be prepared for anything that might happen)," Padilla said.
A checklist of requirements for the BCMT course include: accomplished Reservist Information Data Sheet; personal history statement; accomplished diploma for high school or college; PSA birth certificate; barangay, police, RTC and NBI clearances; medical clearance; and drug test result. (PNA)
