THE Laang Kawal partylist is seeking a seat in Congress to advocate for Philippine army reservists, emphasizing the need for increased funding and legislative reforms to address their challenges.
Lt. Col. Jaime Robert Almario, a Philippine Air Force reservist and Laang Kawal’s first nominee, highlighted the plight of reservists over a weekend press conference, citing inadequate support under the existing Reservist Act of 1991 (RA 7077).
“The current law is outdated and lacks operational funding. It fails to address the needs of the reserve force,” Almario said, referencing lessons learned during the 2017 Marawi Siege.
With over two million reservists nationwide, Almario underscored their critical role in national defense and disaster response, performed on a voluntary basis without pay.
“We risk our lives without compensation. It’s time the reserve force is funded adequately to fully operate,” he said.
Sgt. Jasmine May Alerta, another PAF reservist, shared her perspective as a mother and entrepreneur, explaining her commitment to ensuring the future of the next generation.
“Being a reservist is about patriotism. It’s not just about responding to disasters but teaching the youth to serve their country,” she said.
The partylist also aims to modernize the force by mobilizing “cyber warriors” among the youth to address emerging threats in the digital domain.
“Cyber is the fourth domain of warfare. We need to organize and equip young cyber warriors to prepare for future challenges,” Almario said.
Laang Kawal is calling for legislative amendments to RA 7077, which would introduce new funding mechanisms, enhance training, and develop strategies to ensure reservists are better equipped for their roles in defense and community service.
