MODULE 1

The National Service Training

Program (NSTP):
An Introduction
Overview:
“NSTP what?,” “Why do I have toenroll to tthis course?” “Do I really have to?” Surely,
these questions have somehow crossed your mind when you enrolled in this program.
You may have also asked ―what is the connection or importance of NSTP to my
academic course? But you know what? In the grand scheme of things, your answer —
and your choice may probably, change your life. The reality is that the National
Service Training Program (NSTP) is a required course mandated by law. However, if
you look at it closely, it’s not just a requirement, it’s not just another subject - it is a
preparation and opportunity for you to be of service to others and to be a better
citizen.This chapter serves as the fundamentals for the National Service Training
Program.

Objectives:
At the end of the chapter, the students are expected to:
1. define National Service Training Program (NSTP) and its legal bases;
2. differentiate the components of NSTP;
3. examine the nature and history of the National Service Training Program and its
components;
4. discuss the NSTP law coverage;
5. appreciate the goals of the National Service Training Program in the Higher
Educational Institutions; and
6. carry out your role as a citizen in service of our country through NSTP.
Lesson 1: What is National Service Training Program?

` The National Service Training Program (NSTP), implemented by the

Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) in 2001 and established by virtue of the
Republic Act 9163 or otherwise known as the National Service Training Program
(NSTP) Act of 2001, is a compulsory 1-year course in the universities and colleges in
the country. In cooperation with the Department of National Defense (DND) and the
Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the program was
created.

The NSTP provides a policy framework on volunteerism that shall underscore the
fundamental principles necessary to enhance and harmonize the broad and diverse
efforts of the voluntary sector in the country into an integrative and effective
partnership for local and national development as well as international cooperation
and understanding. The program aims to provide a conducive, enabling environment
for volunteers and volunteer service organizations by setting mechanisms to protect
volunteers’ rights and privileges and give due recognition to highlight their roles and
contributions to society.

In order to achieve the goals of the National Service Training Program Law, the
Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) was continuously enhanced pursuant to
Section 4. C. of the new Implementing Rules and Regulations on November 13, 2009,
the Minimum Standards for the Common and Specific Modules are hereby jointly
issued, adopted and promulgated by the three major agencies, the CHEd, DND, and
the TESDA.

Article 1, Section 3 of the RA 9163 states:

“It is a program that aims at enhancing consciousness and defense
preparedness in the youth by developing the ethics of service and patriotism
while undergoing training in any of its three (3) program components. Its
various components are specially designed to enhance the youth’s active
contribution to the general welfare.”

NSTP endows the students with theoretical and practical knowledge along with
experiences that are needed for good citizenship and community service.It opens a
window for students to see the current situation of the community and the country. At
the same time, it trains students to respond to the present challenges, enhancing the
capability for national service.

The NSTP prepares you to take on the challenge by our national hero, Dr. Jose
Rizal:
“The youth is the hope of the motherland.”

Are you familiar with the song Kabataan para sa Kinabukasan by Francis
Magalona? It beautifully depicts how promising the Filipino youth can be.
“…gamitin ang talino, maging tunay na bayani, makabagong Pilipino
Sulong kabataan, ipakita ang lakas, tunay at wagas na pag-asa ng bukas
Nasa palad mo ang kapalaran”

Your role, therefore, in shaping the future of our nation is very relevant. Even our
1987 constitution recognized this. Stated in Section 13, Article II:
“The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nationbuilding and
shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and
social well-being. It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism,
and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs.”
 See? It’s right there in our constitution - WE ARE valuable constituent of our
country. With all your potential, idealism and energy, WE are capable of doing a lot of
things for the good of others - to be of service to OUR nation.

WE can serve in a lot of ways. This is the concept that shaped the National
Service Training Program. This is what the program seeks to shape in YOU.

All Filipino students are mandated to take NSTP. That is why you and the rest of
your classmates are taking it. After all, everyone is a citizen of this country and
everyone should serve the country.

Lesson 2: History of the NSTP

There have been several legal precedents to the National Service Training
Program (NSTP) Act of 2001. These include:

1. Commonwealth Act No. 1

-Commonwealth Act No. 1, otherwise known as the "National Defense Act",
was enacted by the National Assembly of the Philippines on 21 December 1935.
It provided for obligatory military service for all male citizens of ages between 18
and 30.

-An act to provide national defense of the Philippines penalizing certain

violations thereof appropriating funds therefore, and for other purposes.

-Under the government of President Manuel L. Quezon (1935) Manuel L.

Quezon

-Commonwealth Act No. 1 requires: • College students, specifically males •

Finish 2 years or 4 semesters of Military Training to be reserved cadets of the
national defense of the country.

2. Presidential Decree No. 1706

-Presidential Decree No. 1706, otherwise known as the "National Service
Law", was signed into law on August 8, 1980. It made national service obligatory
for all Filipino citizens and specified three categories of national service: civic
welfare service, law enforcement service and military service.

-On August 8, 1980, the Commonwealth Act No. 1 was amended to give
existence to (1) Presidential Decree No. 1706 or National Service Law, (2)
Mandates compulsory national service to all citizens of the country

-Composed of three main component programs, namely: (1) Civic Welfare

Service (CWTS), (2) Law Enforcement Service (LES), and (3) Military Service.

-College students were given an option to choose one among these

components to comply as a requirement of tertiary education.

-After the ouster of President Marcos,

(1) Implementation of the National Service Law except the provisions of
Military Service was suspended by:
(a) Presidential Memorandum Order No. 1 and
(b) President Corazon C. Aquino
(2) It became Basic Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) effective on SY
1986-1987.
3. Republic Act 7077
-Republic Act 7077, otherwise known as the "Citizen Armed Forces of the
Philippines Reservist Act", was enacted by the 8th Congress of the Philippines on
27 June 1991. The Reservist Act provided for organization, training and utilization
of reservists, referred to in the Act as "Citizen Soldiers". The primary pool of
manpower for the reservist organization are graduates of the Reserve Officers'
Training Corps basic and advance courses.

-In the year 1991, the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act
7077 modified the Basic ROTC Course to Expanded ROTC Program as
mandated. The modification is composed of military subject in the first year and
any of the following components: MTS, CWTS, and LES in the second year
curriculum.

A new and latest amendment was brought for creating the Republic Act 9163 also
known as National Service Training Program. It was signed into law in January 23,
2002 and was implemented in SY 2002-2003.

Lesson 3: Components of NSTP

1. Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (ROTC). Refers to the program component,

institutionalized under Section 38 and 39 of the Republic Act No. 7077, designed to
provide military training to motivate, train, organize and mobilize them for national
defense preparedness.

*The skills being developed among the cadets are military leadership, basic
combat; map reading, military intelligence, artillery operations, unconventional
warfare, marches and bivouac training.

2. Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS). Refers to the program component or

activities contributory to the general welfare and the betterment of life for the
members of the community or the enhancement of its facilities, especially those
devoted to improving health, education, environment, entrepreneurship, safety,
recreation and moral of the citizenry and other social welfare services.

*Students participate in several community development activities like

shelter-building, tree planting, medical missions and the like.

3. Literacy Training Service (LTS). Refers to the program component designed to

train the students to teach literacy and numeracy skills to schoolchildren,
out-of-school youth and other segments of the society in need of their services.

*Students hold tutorials and other non-formal education related activities in

public schools and underprivileged communities thereby promoting the
importance of education among grade school and high school students, even
adults, who were not given the chance to study.

After you finish either CWTS or LTS, you will become members of the National
Service Reserve Corps. You can be tapped by the State for literacy and civic welfare
activities, especially in times of calamities or disasters.

On the other hand, those who take up ROTC will be a part of the Citizen Armed
Force, a Reserve Force to be utilized in times of war, rebellion or invasion. They also
provide assistance in relief and rescue during disaster or calamities.
Lesson 4: NSTP Law Coverage

1. All incoming freshmen students, male, female, starting school year (SY) 2002-
2003, enrolled in any baccalaureate and in at least two (2) year technical-vocational
or associate courses, are required to complete one (1) NSTP component of their
choice, as a graduation requirement;

2. All higher and technical-vocational education institutions must at least offer one (1)
of the NSTP components;

3. State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), shall offer the ROTC component and at
least one (1) other NSTP component;

4. The Philippine Military Academy (PMA), Philippine Merchant Marine Academy

(PMMA), Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA), and other SUC’s of similar
nature, in view of the special character of these institutions, are exempted from the
NSTP;

5. Private higher education and technical-vocational education institutions with at

least 350 student cadets may offer the ROTC component and consequently establish
/ maintain a Department of Military Science and Tactics (DMST), subject to the
existing rules and regulations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

6. Each of the NSTP components shall be undertaken for an academic period of two
(2) semesters and be credited for three (3) units per semesters with fifty four (54) to
ninety (90) training hours per semester.

7. A one summer program in lieu of the two (2) semester program may be designed.
Formulated and adopted by DND, CHED, and TESDA, subject to the capability of the
school and AFP to handle the same.

The NSTP-OSP is created under the RA 9163 or the NSTP Act of 2001, especially
Section 6 and jointly devised, formulated and adopted by the DND, CHED and
TESDA.

NSTP-OSP is established for the three (3) components: ROTC, CWTS and LTS. This
is intended for graduating students in baccalaureate or at least two-year
technical-vocational or associate courses, who have yet to comply with the NSTP as a
requirement for graduation, as well as for students, thus allowing them to concentrate
on the academic subjects and other co-curricular concerns.

8. No fees shall be collected for any of the NSTP component except basic tuition fees
which should not be more that fifty (50) percent of the charges of the school per
academic unit.

9. NSTP as requirement for graduation:

a. Male students who are not covered by Section 12 of this Rule and are
currently enrolled but have not taken any of the Military Service (MS), Civic
Welfare Service (CWS) or Law Enforcement Service (LES) shall be covered by
the NSTP Law.

b. Male students who have completed two semesters of the Expanded ROTC
(E-ROTC) / National Service Program (NSP) are deemed to have complied with
the NSTP requirement.
 c. Male students who are not covered by Section 12 of these Rules and have
taken only one (1) semester of the Basic ROTC or E-ROTC/NSP shall take any of
the NSTP components to qualify for graduation.

d. Students who want to qualify for enlistment in the Reserved Force or attend
the advanced ROTC program shall undertake a special program for this purpose.

10. Clustering and Cross-Enrollment Procedure

a. Clustering of students from different education institutions during semestral or
summer periods may be done for any of the NSTP component, taking into
account logistics, branch of service and geographical locations. The host school
shall be responsible in managing the Program.

b. Schools that do not meet the required number of students to maintain the
optional ROTC and any of the NSTP components, or do not offer the component
chosen by the students shall allow them to cross-enroll in other schools
regardless if such school is under the CHED or TESDA; and in the case the
students taking the ROTC component regardless of whether the two semesters
shall be taken from different schools whose ROTC is managed by different
branches of service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

11. The National Service Reserve Corps (NSRC) is created under Section 11 of the
RA 9163 or the NSTP Act of 2001, composed of graduates of the non-ROTC
components: the CWTS and LTS. Members of this Corps maybe tapped by the State
for literacy and civic welfare activities, through the joint efforts of the DND, CHED, and
TESDA.

References:

Coloma,T. and Herrera, M. (2004). Towards a relevant and responsive National

Service Training Program in the schools. Manila: Mutya Publishing House, 2004

Floresta, Ma. Lourdes, et al. (2005). National Service Training Program Literacy
Training Service. Quezon City: C&E Publishing Inc., 2005 Gasilla-dela Cruz,
Sonia et.al. National Development Via NSTP. Quezon City: Lorimar Publishing
Co. Inc., 2005.

Modules on Good Citizenship Values. Good Citizenship Movement, 2010. Retrieved

from www.goodcitizenmovement.org

Republic Act No. 9163. Official Gazette of the Philippines. Retrieved from
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2002/01/23/republic-act-no-9163/