The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) joined the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement for the 2024 Philippine Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Games (PRG) during a ceremony at the General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Monday.

Representatives from the Department of National Defense (DND), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) also affixed their signatures on the MOA as partners of the tournament which carries the theme “Husay ng ROTC, Husay ng Kabataang Pilipino”.

“The Philippine ROTC Games are more than just a sporting event. They offer our youth a platform to demonstrate their talents, gain connections, and embrace teamwork. These games provide valuable life lessons that will shape them into future leaders,” AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said in a statement.

The Philippine ROTC Games, a brainchild of Senator Francis Tolentino, aims to promote the ROTC program as well as to instill discipline, leadership, and camaraderie among participants from ROTC units who will be competing in various sports events.

Last year’s inaugural staging featured arnis, athletics, basketball, boxing, e-sports, kickboxing and volleyball.

The qualifying legs were held in Iloilo City, Zamboanga City and Cavite, with the gold, silver and bronze medalists advancing to the National Finals held in different venues in Metro Manila.

The three branches of the AFP, namely Army, Air Force and Navy, have its own separate competition participated by their respective cadets so that there are three golds, silver and bronzes at stake in each event.

There is also the Miss ROTC pageant which highlights the softer side of the Games and promotes women empowerment. (PNA)