Military service seen boosting employability of young Filipinos in domestic, foreign labor markets

The chairperson of the House strategic intelligence committee has backed vice presidential aspirant and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio’s proposal to compel all physically fit Filipinos to render military service upon reaching 18 years old.

“There’s no question military service will provide young Filipinos new knowledge and skills that will further enhance their employability in the domestic and foreign labor markets of the future,” Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel said in a statement on Wednesday.

“Whether you are an aspiring nurse practitioner, flight attendant, or a sailor, employers are bound to hire you if you’ve undergone military service, over other applicants without the same experience,” Pimentel said.

“We also envision military service helping many young Filipinos discover what they really want to do for the rest of their lives,” Pimentel said.

“Some of them may be inspired to become commercial pilots or aircraft maintenance technicians while serving in the Air Force,” Pimentel said.

“Others may be motivated to become merchant marine officers or engineers while serving in the Navy or the Army’s Engineering Brigade,” Pimentel said.

“Let’s face it. Many 18-year-olds do not really know what they want to do for the rest of their lives,” Pimentel said.

Duterte-Carpio earlier said that, if elected vice president, she intends to coax Congress to pass a new law obliging every Filipino to undergo military service.

She said countries like South Korea and Israel have been requiring their citizens to perform military service.

Under Duterte-Carpio’s plan, conscripts will receive subsidy while they are carrying out military service.

“From a national defense perspective, military service will also provide the country a huge supply of reservists,” Pimentel said.

“These reservists may be mobilized during national emergencies, such as when we are hit by catastrophic natural disasters, or in the event of another pandemic,” Pimentel said.