NATIONAL SERVICE

TRAINING PROGRAM (NSTP 1)

LECTURE #1

MR. JHUNCEL M. DERIQUITO

Subject Course Instructor
INTRODUCTION

“The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation building 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.

National service programs are a global phenomenon. Contrary to the claims of vocal
opponents to compulsory service, the nation that recognizes civic duty, through one form of
mandatory service or another, span the political, economic and cultural spectrum.

In keeping with the concept of national services, the 1987 Philippine Constitution
enshrined in its Declaration of Principles that the Filipinos are duty-bound to protect the country
and, as such, they may be subjected to undergo service programs. This requirement is premised
on the constitutional provision, which provides that, “The prime duty of the Government is to
serve and protect the people. The Government may call upon the people to defend the state, and
in fulfillment thereof, all citizens may be required, under conditions provided by law, to render
personal military or civil service” (Art II, Sec.4, the Philippine Constitution).

Along this line of thought, the same Constitution, under its State Policies, prescribes
the involvement of the young generation in the community affairs in order to secure the nation.
Article II, Section 13, is clear, to wit. “The State recognizes the vital of the youth in nation-
building and social well-being. It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism, and
encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs.”

These tenets of the Constitution lend its support to youth in promotion of general
welfare in pursuit of charting the country’s development roadmap, an affirmation that the youth
remains the bastion hope for the years ahead, particularly those who are in school, as they
constitute rich reservoir of productive manpower.

Directed towards attaining the collective assertions of these philosophies underpinning

the ends of education and national service, a land mark legislation was made through the passage
of Republic Act No. 9163, otherwise known as the National Service Training Program (NSTP)
Act of 2001, premised on the youth’s pivotal role as a potent in bringing forth much-avowed
goals of development in the country.

The NSTP Act superseded Republic Act No. 7077 (Citizen Armed Forces of the
Philippines Reservist Act) which created the Reserve Force providing the base for the expansion
of the Armed Forces of the Philippines through the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC)
mandating military training of the students enrolled in colleges, universities and other similar
institutions of learning.

The primary objective of NSTP is to highlight the role of the youth in building a strong
Republic, invoking gender equality and development through the inclusion of female students in
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 cases their services are needed and in the event of disasters
or emergencies.

It can be summarized that NSTP, however, as a form of citizenship training, affords its
students-trainees the opportunity to demonstrate practical and functional knowledge as well as
life skills, especially problem-solving in daily life, that the Program offers to them in the course
of training.

MODULAR UNIT 1

THE NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of this modular unit, students are expected to:

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 endeavors.

OVERVIEW

The Philippine Constitution provides that the defense of the state is a prime duty of the
government and the people, and in fulfillment of this duty, all citizens may be required by
law to render personal military or civil service. It further states that it is the duty of the
citizen to contribute to our country’s development in the attainment and preservation of a
just and orderly society. The National Service Training Program (NSTP) Act of 2001
mandates all citizens, both male and female, to fulfill this civic duty.

Responsible to the urgent needs of our developing country today and in the foreseeable
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
utilized in regard to their responsibilities as citizens and in fulfillment of their civil
obligations.

INPUT NO.1: THE EVOLUTION OF THE NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING

PROGRAM

The imposition of the national program for service and training of youth in the Philippines
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 national defense of the country,
punishing certain violations thereof, appropriating 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 institutionalize the reservist system in the Philippines
national defense.

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 these
components in compliance with this requirements for tertiary education.
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 conceptualization of the basic Reserve
Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), embodied under Republic Act No. 7077 (The Citizen
Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Law), effective school year 1986-1987.

The ROTC program aimed to realize the constitutional mandated of developing a strong
civilian base to supplement the professional military in the nation’s defense system. It
was designed to initiate the ROTC trainees in the rudiments of soldiership, instilling in
them discipline and correct deportment. The objective of the said program was to 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 sixty(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.

As way to offer an alternative in neutralizing people’s version 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 if basic health services or aiding in addressing local
insurgency.

In view of options, it gave the students the choice, among the following components, Military
Service (MS), Civic Welfare Service (CWS) and Law Enforcement Service (LES)

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 clamor for reforms in the ROTC and NSP Programs, was signed into law
by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as an aggressive modality toward making the
former national service training that is military in nature, relevant to the changing needs
of the time.
The 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 nation in
cases their services are needed and in the event of disasters or emergencies.

Compared with ROTC, the NSTP Act ensured that 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 training, coverage and others.
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 endeavors, developing interest in community service and making them
responsible for peace and development to ensure harmony and growth in the Filipino
communities.

Legal Bases of NSTP

1. The Philippine Constitution
2. Commonwealth Act No. (National Defense Act)
3. Presidential Decree No. 1706 (National Service Law)
4. Republic Act No. 7077 (The Citizen Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Law)
5. Republic Act No. 9163 (NSTP Act of 2001)

INPUT NO. 2: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs about NSTP

1. What is National Service Training Program Law?

The National Service Training Program (NSTP) Law as embodied in Republic Act 9163 is a
program aimed to enhancing civic 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 specially designed to enhanced the youth’s active contribution to the
general welfare.

2. What are the Program components of NSTP?

a. The Reserve Officers Training Corps(ROTC) is designed to provide military training to

tertiary level students in order to motivate, train, organize, and mobilize them for national
defense preparedness

b. The Literacy Training Service (LTS) is designed to train the students to teach literacy and
numeracy skills to school children, out-of-school youth and other segments of society in need of
their services.

c. The Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS) refers to 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 developed to improving health, education, environment,
entrepreneurship, safety, recreation, and moral of the citizenry and other social welfare services.
3. Who shall take the NSTP? All incoming freshmen students male and female, 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 requirements

4. How will be the NSTP be taken up? Each of the NSTP components shall be undertaken for
an academic period of two (2) semesters and credited for three (3) units per semester with 54 to
90 training hours per semester.

5. What if the NSTP cannot be taken up during the regular semester? A one (1) 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 the AFP to handle the same.

6. What if the NSTP program component chosen by a student is not offered in his/her
school? Schools that do not meet the required number of students in order to conduct a program
component or do not offer the component chosen by their students shall allow them to cross-
enroll to other schools irrespective of whether that school is under CHED or TESDA and for
ROTC, whether they are managed by different AFP branches of service.
These students however, shall be subjected to the existing rules and regulations of their
original school and accepting school.

7. Are currently-enrolled students covered by the NSTP? Male students currently enrolled
but have not taken any program component of the previous Expanded ROTC (E-ROTC)
National Service Program (NSP) are covered by the NSTP.

8. Will a student who has completed all the academic requirements of his academic
requirements except ROTC be allowed to graduate? A student who has completed all his
academic requirements except for ROTC will be allowed to graduate provided that he is a
certified candidate by the school on or before the effectivity of the NSTP which is March 23,
2002.

9. What if a male students has completed two semesters of E-ROTC/NSP? He is deemed to

have complied with the NSTP requirement.

10. What if a male students has only taken one (10 semester of Basic ROTC and E-
ROTC/NSP? He shall take one more semester of any of the NSTP components to qualify for
graduation.

11. What will become of NSTP Graduates? Graduates of non-ROTC components shall belong
to the National Service Reserve Corps (NSRC) that could be tapped by the State for literacy and
civic welfare activities. Graduates of the ROTC component shall form only part of the AFP
Citizen Armed Force, subject to DND requirements.

12. How can student continue to qualify for enlistment in the AFP Reserve Force? He/she
may qualify for enlistment in AFP Reserve Force as long as he/she has completed the two 920
semester of basic ROTC.
13. How much fee will be charge for an NSTP component? No fees shall be collected for any
of the NSTP component except basic tuition fees, which should be more than fifty percent (50%)
of the charges of the school per academic unit.

14. What should incentives can be provided by the NSTP? The following incentives to
students are to be provided when they take up NSTP.
A program of assistance/incentives for ROTC students from DND which will be
in accordance with existing laws and regulations and subject to the availability of funds.

School authorities concerned, CHED and TESDA shall ensure that health
accident group insurances are provided to students enrolled in any of the NSTP components.

A special Scholarship Program for qualified NSTP shall be administered by

CHED and TESDA subject to the availability of funds.

15. Who responsible for supervising the NSTP? School Authorities shall exercise academic
and administrative supervision over the design, formulation, adoption and implementation of the
different NSTP components in their respective schools.

In case of ROTC, the School Authorities and DND shall exercise joint
supervision over its implementation.

16. What lead agencies will monitor the implementation of the NSTP? CHED Regional
Offices, TESDA Provincial and District Offices and the DND-AFP through the major Service
Reserve Commands and their ROTC Units shall oversee if the trainings conducted are in
consonance with the republic Act.

17. Is the NSTP available in all School and Universities? All Higher and Technical Vocational
Educational Institutions shall be offering at least one (1) of the NSTP components, while State
Universities and colleges will offer the ROTC component and at least one other NSTP
component

LEAD AGENCIES TASKED TO MONITOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF NSTP

1. Commission on Higher Education (CHED)
2. Department of National Defense (DND)
3. Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)

MODULAR UNIT 2
GOOD CITIZENSHIP
LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of this modular unit, students are expected to:

1. Understand the principles underpinning good citizenship, rights and responsibilities of

citizens, service and volunteerism for national development;
2. Describe and analyze issues that relate to the good citizenship values, rights and
responsibilities of student-citizen in the country.
3. Make responsible decisions, address issues, explain concepts and/ or solve problems using
relevant example pertaining to exercise of rights
4. Appreciate the significance of good citizenship towards the attainment of national
development.

OVERVIEW

The citizenship education topic of the national Service Training Program (NSTP) affords
the implementing institutions the opportunity to develop consciousness not only in national
terms, but also in terms of global civic rights and responsibilities.
The program components of NSTP are structured in a way that the student-trainee’s
notion of the relationship between the state and the people has changed and the service
opportunities have been a core means for learning how citizenship is applied.
The NSTP Law is legislation that sees the youth as partners of the state in promoting
civic consciousness , and aims to develop their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual and social
well-being through civic service. In so doing, it inculcates patriotism and nationalism in the
youth, and advance their involvement in civic and public affairs.
As an enabling law, it enjoins students and young people to strengthen their social
awareness and civic engagements. It requires implementers to design a program that supports the
National Service Training Program, taken in two semester or in one summer with at least 54
training hours, and carries a total credit load of six(6) units. There are two(2) courses: one which
provides the theoretical component and one which supplements theoretical learning by service
extension which paved the way for a curriculum framework on citizenship and civic
consciousness.
This framework and vision for students engaging in civic service and community work
equip the trainees with an understanding of citizen rights, duties and roles in a civil society and
provides theoretical and practical learning experiences for civic-mindedness, service and
community participation.
Consistent with the aims of Program is broadening the student-trainee’s worldview-from
a love of country, nation, and community, to concern, action for others beyond nationalism.
Truly, citizenship cannot and should not be confined to the national boundaries of ones country
or to patriotism alone can stand in contradiction to a broader notion of humanity.
This module focuses on the rights and responsibilities of citizens. More specially, it
offers the following themes:
1. The Bill of Rights of Filipinos
2. Basic Values of Filipinos
3. Nationalism and Patriotism for National Development
4. Community Service and Volunteerism
INPUT NO.1: THE BILL OF RIGHTS

“There is no Constitution worthy of the name without a bill or declaration of rights”.

Article III of the Philippine Constitution is the Bill of Rights. It establishes the relationship of the
individual by limiting the lawful powers of the State. It is one of the most important political
achievements of the Filipinos (Smith,1945)

IMPORTANCE OF BILL OR RIGHTS

A bill of rights is a constitutional enumeration of rights and privileges guaranteed by the

State to all persons within its territory. It is the statement of individual liberties whish citizens,
residents and sojourners in the country enjoy abuses in against the exercise of government
power. In short, it is the people’s shield against government abuse.
The peaceful attainment of peace will depend on our nations libertarian use of freedom-
freedom of thought, speech and association. The rights proclaimed in the Bill of Rights are the
“ten commandments” of our constitutional faith. They are the means of self-government and
sovereignty. They are the means to truth. They are the means of and end of security and survival.

Below is the Bill of Rights provided for in Article III, 1987 Philippine constitution:

Section 1. No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law,
nor shall any person be denied the equal protection of law.

Section 2. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effect against
unreasonable searches and seizures of whatever nature and for any purpose shall be inviolable,
and no search warrant or warrant of arrest shall issue except upon probable cause to be
determined personally by the judge after examination under oath or affirmation of the
complainant and the witnesses he may produce, and particularly describing the place to be
searched and the persons or things to be seized.

Section 3. (1) The privacy of communication and correspondence shall be inviolable except
upon lawful order of the court, or when public safety or order requires otherwise, as prescribed
by law.
(2) Any evidence obtained in violation of this or preceding section shall be
inadmissible for any proceeding.

Section 4. No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the
press, or the right of the people to peaceably assemble and petition the government for redress of
grievances.

Section 5. No law shall be made respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof. The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without
discrimination or preference, shall forever be allowed. No religious test shall be required for the
exercise of civil or political rights.
Section 6. The liberty of abode and changing the same within the limits prescribed by law shall
not be impaired except upon lawful order of the court. Neither shall be right to travel be impaired
except in the interest of national security, public safety, or public health, as may be provided by
law.

Section 7. The right of the people to information on matters of public concern shall be
recognized. Access to official records, and to documents and papers pertaining to official acts,
transaction, or decisions, as well as to government research data used as basis for policy
development, shall be afforded the citizen, subject to such limitations as may be provided by law.

Section 8. The right of the people, including those employed in the public and private sectors, to
form unions, association, or societies for purposes not contrary to law shall not be abridged.

Section 9. Private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation.
Section 10. No law impairing the obligation of contracts shall be passed.

Section 11. Frees access to the courts and quasi-judicial bodies and adequate legal assistance
shall not be denied any person by reason of poverty.

Section 12. (1) Any person under investigation for the commission of an offense shall have the
right to be informed of his right to counsel remain silent and to have competent and independent
counsel preferably of his own choice. If the person cannot afford the services of counsel, he must
be provided with one. These rights cannot be waived except in writing and in the presence of
counsel.
(2) No torture, force, violence, threat, intimidation, or any other means which vitiate
the free will shall be used against him. Secret detention places, solitary, incommunicado, or other
similar forms of detention are prohibited.
(3) Any confession or admission obtained in violation of this or Section 17 thereof
shall be inadmissible in evidence against him.
(4) The Law shall provide for penal and civil sanctions for violations of this section
as well as compensation to rehabilitation of victims of torture or similar practices, and their
families.

Section 13. All persons, except those charged with offenses punishable by reclusion perpetua
when evidence of guilt is strong, shall, before conviction, be bailable by sufficient sureties, or be
released on recognizance as may be provided by law. The right to bail shall not be impaired even
when the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus is suspended. Excessive bail shall not be
required.

Section 14. (1) No person shall be held to answer for criminal offense without due process of
law.
(2) In criminal prosecutions, the accused shall be presumed innocent until the
contrary is proved, and shall enjoy the right to heard by himself and counsel, to be informed of
the nature and cause of accusation against him, to have speedy, impartial and public trial, to meet
the witnesses face to face, and have to compulsory process to secure the attendance of witnesses
and the production of evidence in his behalf. However, after arraignment, trial may proceed
notwithstanding the absence of accused: Provided, that he has been duly notified and his failure
to appear in unjustifiable.

Section 15. The privilege or writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended except in case of
invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it.

Section 16. All persons shall have the right to speedy disposition of their cases before all
judicial, quasi-judicial, or administrative bodies.

Section 17. No person shall be compelled to be a witness against himself.

Section 18. (1) No person shall be detained solely by reason of his political beliefs and
aspirations.
(2) No involuntary servitude an any form shall exist except as punishment for a
crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted.

Section 19. (1) Excessive fines shall not be imposed, nor cruel, degrading or inhuman
punishment inflicted. Neither shall death penalty be imposed, unless for compelling reasons
involving heinous crimes, the Congress hereafter provides for it. Any death penalty already
imposed shall be reduced to reclusion perpetua.
(2) The employment of physical, psychological, or degrading punishment against any
prisoner or detainee or the use of substandard or inadequate penal facilities under subhuman
conditions shall be dealt with by law.

Section 20. No person shall be imprisoned for debt or non-payment of a poll tax.

Section 21. No person shall be twice put in jeopardy of punishment for same offense. If an act is
punished by law and an ordinance, conviction or acquittal under either shall constitute a bar to
another prosecution for the same act.

Section 22. No ex post facto law or bill of attainder shall be enacted.