NSTP

1
Reference: Understanding NSTP Module

Dr. Joann Amargo

The National Service Training Program
Unit 1
 OBJECTIVES
1. Explain the history and significance of
the NSTP in the purview of National
security and development.
2. appreciate the value of NSTP as a
citizenship training program; and
3. support NSTP-related activities and
endeveours.
OVERVIEW
 Overview
The Philippine Constitution provides that the
defence of the state is a prime duty of the
government and the people, and in fulfilment of
this duty, all citizens may be required by law to
render personal military or service. It further
states that is the duty of citizen to contribute to
our country’s development in the attainment and
preservation of a just and orderly society. The
NSTP Act 2001 mandates all citizen both male
and female, to fulfil their civic duty.
Overview
Responding to the urgent needs our developing
country today and in forceable future, it is equally
vital to develop and enhance civic consciousness
among the young generation to ensure national
security and development. NSTP therefore,
enables the youth, as the most valuable resource
of the Filipino nation, to be motivated, developed
and utilised in regard to their responsibilities. as
citizens and in fulfilment of their civil obligation.
Input No. 1: The Evolution of the NSTP
Input No. 1 The Evolution of NSTP
The imposition of the NSTP of the youth in the Philippines
began began with the creation of Commonwealth Act
No. 1, otherwise known as the National Defense Act. It
is a legislative act providing basis for the funds therefore
and for other purposes under the government of
President Manuel L. Quezon in 1935. The same law that
required college students, particularly males, to finish
two years, equivalent to 4 semesters, of military
training as a modality to institutionalise the reservist
system in the Philippine National Defense.
The Evolution of NSTP
In 1980 the National Defense Act was amended to give
existence to Presidential Decree No. 1706, otherwise
known as the National Service Law. It mandated
compulsory national service to all Filipino citizens. It was
composed of three main program components namely:
Civic Welfare Service (CWS), Law Enforcement Service
(LES), and Military Service (MS). College students were
given an option to choose one from among those
components in compliance with this requirement for
tertiary education.
The Evolution of NSTP
The implementation of the National Service Law, except
the provision of the Military Service was suspended
by Presidential Memorandum Order No. 1 under the
incumbency of former President Corazon Aquino,
paving the way for the conceptualisation of the basic
Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), embodied
under R.A. No 7077 (The Citizen Armed Forces of
the Philippines Reservist Law), effective school year
1986-1987.
The Evolution of NSTP
The ROTC program aimed to realise the constitutionalise the constitutional
mandate of developing a strong civilian base to supplement the
professional military in the nation’s defense system. It was designed and
initiate the ROTC trainees in the rudiments of soldiership, instilling with
them discipline discipline and correct department. The objective of the
said program was tot train all able-bodied tertiary students for military
skills in case of war. It cannot be disputed, however, that the law on
mandatory military training for male Filipino students that existed for
more than (60 years) was tainted with anomalies and irregularities in the
advent of the post-Marcos era that culminated to the unprecedented
death of UST ROTC cadet officer Mark Welson Chua for alleged
anomalies of some erring ROTC officials in 2001, thus, defeating the
purpose upon which this military training program was anchored in.
The Evolution of NSTP
» As a way to offer an alternative in neurtrulcizing people’s
aversion to this military program during the school year
2001-2002, ROTC was only made optional under the National
Service Program (NSP) conceiving the so called expanded ROTC
(E-ROTC) characterized by deviation from the rigid tactical
training offering alternatives like rendering civil auxiliary sources
in the form of helping maintain law and order assisting socio-
economic development projects and delivery of basic health
services or aiding in addressing local insurgency.
The Evolution of NSTP
» In view the options it gave the students a
choice among the following components,
Military Service (MS), Civic Welfare Service
(CWS) and Law Enforcement Service (LES)
The Evolution of NSTP
» Many if not all of the Higher Education Institutions
found the enforcement of NSP confusing and
unmanageable though. Hence in December 2001, the
NSTP Act, envisioned to address public glamor for
reforms in the ROTC and NSP Programs, was signed
into law by then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as
aggressive modality tot he changing needs of the time.
The Evolution of NSTP
» This main objective of NSTP is to stress the significant
role played by youth male and female alike, in the task of
developing our nation via national service training. As
such, it aims to develop the youth to become civic or
military leaders and volunteers through a modified, re-
structured and reinforced training package whom could
be called upon by the nation in case their services are
needed and in event of disasters or emergencies.
The Evolution of NSTP
» Compared with ROTC the NSTP Act ensured the three
components - Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS),
Literacy Training Service (LTS) and Reserve Officers
Training Corps (ROTC), are given the same and equal
implementation in educational institutions.
Moreover it defined the different NSTP components,
the duration of the training, coverage and others.
s
» The non military program components of NSTP, that
is, the CWTS and LTS are committed to strengthening
the values and traits of the youth, improving skills
and knowledge on various endeavours developing
interest in community service and making them
responsible for peace and development to ensure
harmony and growth in the Filipino communities.
Thank you