Davao City, Philippines – The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Regional Office XI successfully hosted the highly anticipated 2023 Philippine ROTC Games Orientation in Mindanao II cluster on Friday, June 9, 2023, at the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP), Obrero, Davao City.
The orientation was attended by esteemed individuals including Honorary Chairman of the ROTC Games Senator Francis N. Tolentino;
CHED RO XII Director Nelia A. Alibin, Ph.D.; CHED RO IX OIC Director Rody P. Garcia; CHED Sports Project Lead Coach Ana Dulce B. Yango; Col. Josue M. Caberto, MI (GSC) PA, Group Commander of the 11th Regional Community Defense Group (RCDG); USeP President Lourdes C. Generalao, Ph.D.; and USeP Vice President for Academic Affairs Bonifacio G. Gabales, Jr., Ph.D.
A total of 32 Sports Directors, 23 Commandants, and over 255 cadets from the second Mindanao cluster, representing various provinces from Regions XI and XII, namely Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley, North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sarangani Province, and Sultan Kudarat, actively participated in the event.
The activity was part of a series of Clustered Regional Orientations to promote the Philippine ROTC Games 2023 under the theme “Tibay at Galing Ating Pagyamanin, ROTC Games Ating Suportahan” (Nurture Strength and Excellence, Support ROTC Games).
The primary objective of this sporting event is to promote and strengthen the ROTC program throughout the country. It also aims to fortify and promote sports education and create an avenue to showcase abilities in a competitive yet supportive environment, while instilling value formation and character building in the lives of participating students. The event also provides an opportunity for ROTC cadets to further enhance their skills in their preferred sports.
During his keynote address, Honorary Chairman Sen. Francis N. Tolentino emphasized the need to cultivate patriotism among the Filipino youth, highlighting that this love for country should be mandatory, not optional.
CHED Sports Project Lead Coach Ana Yango, underscored the vital role of sports development in nation-building. “Athletes were born to be strong; athletes were born to impart good values and virtues; and athletes were built to become good citizens of our country”, she said.
RD Maricar Casquejo reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to the proper execution of the ROTC Games in the region. “I have every confidence that the participants will demonstrate exemplary sportsmanship, embodying the values of discipline, integrity and unity that are at the core of our ROTC program”, she added.
The Philippine ROTC Games is a joint collaboration of CHED, the Department of National Defense (DND), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
