Module I: Citizenship Training

Topic 1

HISTORICAL AND LEGAL BASES OF THE NSTP

EVOLUTION OF THE NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM (NSTP)

The imposition of the national program for service and training of the youth in the Philippines
started with the creation of Commonwealth Act No. 1, otherwise known as the National Defense Act
of 1935. It is a legislative act imparting foundation for the national defense of the country, punishing
certain violations thereof, appropriating funds consequently and for other functions under the
government of President Manuel L. Quezon. The law requires tertiary students, specifically males, to
finish two years, equal to four 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 provide 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 fundamental program components, namely: Civic
Welfare Service (CWS), Law Enforcement Service (LES), and Military Service (MS). College
Students were given an alternative to select from among these components in compliance with this
requirement for tertiary education.

The implementation of the National Service Law, except the provision of the Military Service was
suspended through 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 R.A. 7077, effective school year 1986-1987.

The ROTC program aimed to comprehend the constitutional mandate 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 capabilities in case of war.

As a way to provide an alternative in neutralizing people's aversion to this military program for
the duration of the school year 2001-2002, ROTC was only made optional under the National
Service Program (NSP), conceiving the so-called Expanded ROTC (E-ROTC). The E-ROTC was
characterized through deviation from the rigid tactical training providing alternatives like rendering
civil auxiliary sources in the form of helping maintain law and order, assisting socio-economic
development projects and delivery of fundamental health services or aiding in addressing local
insurgency.

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

Many, if not all of the higher education institutions, observed 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 through then President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as an aggressive modality toward making the former national service
training that is military in nature, applicable to the changing needs of the time.

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The primary objective of the NSTP is to stress the significant role played by youth, male and
female alike, in the task of developing our nation by means of national service training. As such, it
aims to enhance the youth to become civic military leaders and volunteers through a modified, re-
structured and reinforced training package who could be called upon by way of the 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 Officer 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.

The non-military program components of NSTP -- the CWTS and LTS – are dedicated to the
realization of the following objectives:

• strengthen the values and traits of the youth;

• improve their skills and knowledge on various endeavors;

• develop their interest in community service; and

• make them responsible for peace and development to make sure harmony and growth in the
Filipino communities.

NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM (NSTP)

Definition

It refers to the program aimed at 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. Its various components are specially designed to enhance the youth's active
contribution to the general welfare.

Legal Bases

1. Commonwealth Act No. 1

- Otherwise known as the "National Defense Act of 1935", 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.
2. Presidential Decree No. 1706
- Otherwise known as the "National Service Law of 1980", was signed by President
Ferdinand E. Marcos into law on 8 August 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.
3. 1987 Constitution of the Republic of The Philippines
- Is the constitution or supreme law of the Republic of the Philippines, its final draft was
completed by the Constitutional Commission on October 12, 1986 and was ratified by a
nationwide plebiscite on February 2, 1987.
4. Republic Act 7077
- Otherwise known as the "Citizen Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Act of
1991", 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

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 Module I: Citizenship Training

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.
5. Republic Act No. 9163
- Otherwise known as the “National Service Training Program (NSTP) Act of 2001”
signed into law by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on January 23, 2002.

Guiding Principle

Recognizing the youth's vital role in nation-building, the State shall promote, civic consciousness
among the youth and shall develop their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual and social well-being.
It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism, nationalism, and advance their involvement in public and
civic affairs.

Program Components

1. Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC)

- A program institutionalized under Sections 38 and 39 of Republic Act No. 7077 designed
to provide military training to tertiary level students in order to motivate, train, organize
and mobilize them for national defense preparedness.
2. Literacy Training Service (LTS)
- A program designed to train students to become teachers of literacy and numeracy skills
to school children, out of school youth, and other segments of society in need of their
service.
3. Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS)
- Refers to programs 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 morals of the citizenry.

Main Features

 All incoming freshmen students, male and female enrolled in any baccalaureate and it at least
two-year technical-vocational or associate courses, are required to complete one NSTP
component of their choice as a graduation requirement.
 All higher and technical vocational educational institutions shall be offering at least one (1) of
the NSTP components.
 Each of the NSTP components shall be undertaken for an academic period of two semesters
and credited for three units per semester with 54 the 90 hours training hours per semester.
 State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) will offer the ROTC component and at least one (1)
other NSTP component.
 The Philippine Military Academy (PMA), Philippine Merchant Marine Academy
(PMMA), Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA)and other similar nature are
exempted from the NSTP.
 Private higher and technical vocational education institutions with at least 350 student cadets
may offer ROTC component.
 ROTC component will be maintained and handled by the Department of Military Science and
Tactics (DMST), subject to the existing rules and regulations of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP).

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Lead Agencies/Implementers

 Commission on Higher Education (CHED)

 Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)
 Department of National Defense (DND)
 Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC)
 Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations of the Philippines (COCOPEA)

Duration and Equivalent Course Unit

 Each of the NSTP components shall be undertaken for an academic period of two (2)
semesters.
 Each components shall be credited for three (3.0) units per semester.
 Fifty four (54) to ninety (90) hours training hours per semester shall be allotted.
 One (1) summer program in lieu of the two (2) semester program may be designed,
formulated and adapted subject to the capability of the school and concerned agencies.

Creation of National Service Training Corps

The National Service Training Corps (NSRC) will be composed of graduates of NON-ROTC
components. Members of this Corps may be tapped by the State for literacy and civic welfare
activities. Graduates of ROTC component shall form only part of the AFP Citizen Armed Force,
subject to DND requirements.

Person Responsible to Supervise NSTP Students

School authorities shall exercise academic and administrative supervision over the design,
formulation, adoption and implementation of the different NSTP components in their respective
schools.

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Learning Exercise 1.1

Name :__________________________________ Course : __________ Time : _______

Trainer : _________________________________ Date : __________ Score : _______

Read each item carefully, write T if the statement id true and F if the statement is false, put
answer on the space provided.
__________ 1. NSTP is a prerequisite for graduation.
__________ 2. Only male students is requires to join ROTC.
__________ 3. There are three components in NSTP namely: CWTS, LTS and ROTC.
__________ 4. The LTS is a component that best suit the students enrolled in a bachelor courses
intended for teaching.
__________ 5. The CWTS is the most appropriate component, the students can experience
variety of activities in terms of services: health, education, environment, safety
and other social welfare services.
__________ 6. The NSTP is commonly taken for first year students and need to be finish within
two semesters.
__________ 7. One summer program is intended for students who are foreigners.
__________ 8. Students who are considered foreigner are required to enrol NSTP.
__________ 9. TESDA, CHED and DND are tasked to monitor the implementation of NSTP.
_________ 10. Any students that belong to SUCs, LGUs and private schools must take their
NSTP 1 and NSTP 2 as their standard subjects.
_________ 11. Commonwealth Act No. 1, otherwise known as “National Defense Act of 1935
is under the government of President Manuel L. Quezon.
_________ 12. Presidential Decree No. 1706 or National Service Law of 1980 was signed into
law in 1980 by President Diosdado Macapagal.
_________ 13. The Reservist is also called Citizen Soldiers as referred in Republic Act 7077
_________ 14. Republic Act No. 9163 was signed into law on 2001 by President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo.
_________ 15. NSRC will be composed of graduates of non-ROTC component.

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 Module I: Citizenship Training

Topic 2
NSTP and the Philippine Constitution

The 1987 Constitution under Article II Sec. 4 (Declaration of Principles and State Policies)
clearly mandates 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 the fulfillment thereof, all
citizens may be required, under conditions provided by law, to render personal military or civil
service”. In order to perform such role, the government may call the attention of the people by
requiring them to render personal military or civil services.

This chapter will discuss relevant provisions that will clarify the framework of NSTP as a venue
for inculcating the ideals of true and meaningful public service.

CONSTITUTION defined

This refers to the body of rules and principles in accordance with which the powers of sovereignty
are regularly exercised (1986 Philippine Constitution).

It is also a written instrument by which the fundamental powers of the government are
established, limited, and defined and by which these powers are distributed among the several
departments or branches for their safe and useful exercise for the benefit of the people.

It is the rules and principles which provide direction as to the manner of expressing one’s
authority.

The Purpose or Function of the Constitution

1. The constitution serves as the supreme or fundamental law since it speaks in behalf of the
entire people, represents the will of the people to which it derives its claim to obedience.
2. The constitution establishes the basic framework and underlying principles of government. It
prescribes the permanent framework of the system of government and assigns to the different
departments or branches, their respective powers and duties, establishes certain basic
principles on which the government is founded. The constitution serves as the pillars in
governance.
3. The constitution empowers the state because it is the document that formalizes the jurisdiction
of the state over our territory and establishes the government that will effectively exercise that
jurisdiction.
4. The constitution gears the government towards social and economic development through the
elimination of socio-economic inequities in order to achieve progress, national unity, and
social justice.

THE BILL OF RIGHTS OF FILIPINOS

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Article III of the Philippine Constitution is the Bill of Rights. It establishes the relationship of the
individual to the State and defines the rights 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 Of 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 which 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 nation’s 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 ends
of security and survival. The right of liberty guaranteed by
the Constitution includes the right to
Below is the Bill of Rights provided for in Article III,
exist and the right to be free from
1987 Philippine Constitution:
personal restraint or servitude.
Section 1. No person shall be deprived of life, liberty,
or property without due process of law, nor shall any person 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 effects
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 in the correspondence shall be inviolable except
apart lawful order of the court, or when public safety or order requires otherwise, as
prescribed by law. (2) Any evidence obtained in violation of these are the preceding section
shall be inadmissible for any purpose in 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 of changing the same within the limits prescribed by law
shall not be impaired except upon lawful order of the court. Neither shall the right to travel be
impaired except in the interest of national security, public safety, or public health, as may be
provided by law.

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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,
transactions, 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, associations, 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. Free access to the courts and quasi-judicial bodies and adequate legal assistance
shall not be denied to 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 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. This rights cannot be waived except in writing and in the presence
of counsel. (2) No torture, force, violence, threats, 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 hereof shall be inadmissible in evidence
against him. The law shall provide for penal and civil sanctions for violations of this section
as well as compensation to the rehabilitation of victims of torture or similar practices, and
their families.

Section 13. All persons, except those charged with offences punishable by reclusion perpetua
with evidence of guilty 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 a criminal offense without due process
of law. 

(2) In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall be presumed innocent until the contrary is
proved, and shall enjoy the right to be heard by himself and counsel, to be informed of the
nature and cause of the accusation against him, the have a speedy, impartial, and public trial
to meet the witnesses face-to-face and to have 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 the accused: Provided that he has been dully notified
and his failure to appear is in justifiable.
Liberty is the measure of
freedom which may be enjoyed in Section 15. The privilege of the writ of habeas
a civilized community consistently corpus shall not be suspended except in cases
with enjoyment of like freedom by
of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety
requires it.
others.

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Section 16. All persons shall have the right to a speedy disposition of their cases before other
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 in any form shall exist except as a 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 detaining or the use of substandard or inadequate penal facilities under some Human
Condition shall be dealt with by the 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 the same offense. If an
act is punishable by a 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 (an act of a legislature declaring a person
or group of persons guilty of some crime and punishing them, often without a trial) shall be
enacted.

CITIZENS of the PHILIPPINES Defined

Section I of the Philippines Constitution provides that the following are the citizens of the
Philippines:

1. Those who are citizens of the Philippines at the time of the adoption of this Constitution;

2. Those whose fathers and mothers are citizens of the Philippines

3. Those born before January 13, 1973, of Filipino mothers, who elect Philippine Citizenship
upon reaching the age of majority; and

4. Those who are naturalized in accordance with law.

Human rights have a primacy over

property rights. If human rights are
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF FILIPINO
extinguished by the passage of time,
CITIZENS
then the bill of rights is a useless
We have to realize that for every right we are enjoying as attempt to limit the power of the
enumerated in the Bill of Rights of the Philippine government and ceases to be shield
Constitution, it is occupied with corresponding obligation.
against the abuses of the
There will be no chaos in our society if solely each person
government.
will perform his or her responsibilities and responsibilities.

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1. To be loyal to the Republic. This means that we have faith and confidence in the Republic
and love and devotion to the country. We have to be proud of being a Filipino, respect our
customs, traditions, language and institutions.

Our country is considered our home, the home of our forefathers who fought for our country
against the invaders, the home of our children and the grand children, the seat of our
affections, and the sources of our happiness and well-being.

2. To defend the State. Considering the fact that our country is our home, it is our prime duty to
love and defend the state at all costs regardless of our creed, religious beliefs, and wisdom.

Loving ones country can be shown not by words but by deeds. It should be a continuous
flame of love considering the fact that we receive benefits and protection from the State pf
which we are a part. In return, it is our primary duty and honor to defend it against any peril
whether from within or from without (Art. II, Sec. 3).

3. To contribute to the development and welfare of the State. We are a part of the State and
we directly receive the benefits from the government in form of infrastructure, peace and
order, etc. in return, how can we contribute to the development and welfare of the State? We
can do this in the form of paying our taxes willingly and promptly, by helping maintain peace
and order, conserving of the natural resources and the promotion of social justice by
suggesting or supporting measures beneficial to the people as a whole, by patronizing local
products and trades and by engaging in productive work.

4. To uphold the Constitution and obey the laws. It is our prime obligation to uphold the
Constitution and obey the laws. If the people would disregard them, our country would
collapse, we will not have peace and order.

5. To cooperate with duly constituted authorities. In every organization, there is always a

leader to manage the affairs of all the constituents. If the members will not cooperate, we can
never expect to become successful in all the undertakings that our government would like to
do for the good of its citizens.

6. To exercise rights responsibly and with due regard for the rights of others. No man is an
island and we have to live with others. In the exercise of our rights, we have to see to it that
we also respect the rights of other people. If we do this, we can expect harmonious
relationship between members of the society.

7. To engage in gainful work. It is stated in the Bible that if we want to eat, we have to work.it
is our obligation as a citizen of our country to become productive in engaging in a gainful
work so that we can provide the basic needs of our family and ourselves as well. As cited by
de Leon (1989), “The essence of life is work. Every citizen should bear in mind that only hard
and sustained work can men and nations live and survive. National greatness never springs
cult of ease or self-complacency, but from the crucible of grim struggle and patient industry”.

8. To register and vote. It is our prime duty as a citizen of the Philippines to register and vote.
Suffrage is both a privilege and a duty, which every qualified citizen must perform.

It is not sufficient to just vote; it must be coupled with intellectual judgment during election.
We have to consider the different political issues by different candidates, so that at least we
can chose the right person to manage government affairs.

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Learning Exercise 1.2

Name :__________________________________ Course : __________ Time : _______

Trainer : _________________________________ Date : __________ Score : _______

THE BILL OF RIGHTS OF FILIPINOS

A. Critical Thinking. Answer each question below in the space provided.
1. What rights are guaranteed (protected) to you as a Filipino citizen and which are more important
to you?
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
2. What responsibilities come with your rights?
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
3. At what point does the common good of society limit your rights?
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
4. Do you think you are a responsible citizen? If so, why? If not, why not?
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

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B. List three possible criteria you would use to describe a responsible citizen. Explain on reason why
being a responsible citizen is necessary to live in a free society.
The following shall serve as a rubric in the evaluation of the student input:

Score Indicators
Student lists three criteria for a responsible citizen and explains each accurately and clearly. The
10
student clearly explains on reason why being a responsible citizen is necessary to live in a free
pts.
society.
7-9 Student lists three criteria but does not explain accurately and/or clearly or the student lists thee
pts. criteria but explains two clearly.
Student lists two or three criteria but does not explain accurately and/or clearly and lists one reason
4-6
why being responsible citizen is necessary to live in a free society but the student does not explain at
pts.
all.
1-3 Student lists only on or two criteria for a responsible citizen and does not explain at all the
pts. importance of responsible citizenship to a free society.

Criteria 1: ______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Reason: ______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Criteria 2: ______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Reason: ______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Criteria 3: ______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Reason: ______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

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