Unit 1: The Community Immersion Requisite of NSTP:
An Overview mechanism specifically designed to allow student-trainees
Community immersion is one of the important requirements
of the National Service Training Program (NSTP) prescribed
to students, male and female alike, in private and public
higher education institutions and technical-vocational
schools (RA 9163, Sec. 7). In essence, it is the practicum-
based element of NSTP where lessons learned and acquired
in NSTP 1, whether on a semester basis or as part of the One
Summer Program, are applied in the enhancement of the
trainees' capabilities, civic consciousness, and defense
preparedness in the service of the nation.
As a concept, COMMUNITY IMMERSION is a strategy in
community organizing that is sought to imbibe among the
NSTP trainees to a better understanding and realization of
the different community concerns through exposure to actual
life situations specifically in the deprived, depressed, and the
underprivileged (DDU) communities. These experiences
will allow them to integrate with other people who may
facilitate them to undergo certain changes that will make
them civic-conscious and socially responsible citizens.
Community immersion is an approach of developing among
the NSTP student trainees the concept of service and
empowerment as they reach out to deprived, depressed and
underprivileged communities and the marginalized segments
of the society.
Many possible problems in the community can be addressed
by immersion projects and activities specifically designed to
improve the different aspects of human development like
economic, social, spiritual, etc. It is to be noted that these
aspects cannot and should not be defined singly and
separately, but must be viewed interdependently and in
totality.
Community immersion, as a process, is aimed at developing
among student-trainees, through the training program, (the
opportunity to experience and put STUDENT TRAINESS in
real-life situations in the communities they serve).
For this reason, each trainee must have a genuine feeling of
living with the people in order that they may understand and
relate with community concerns as they go through self-
transformation and personal growth at the same time.
“Developing students Trainees…..”
THE NSTP-CWTS DIMENSIONS OF DEVELOPMENT,
An acronym was coined for the NSTP-CWTS dimensions of
development, SERVICE. This stands for:
S-Safety and Security (Involves disaster)
E-Education (Literacy)
R-Recreation (Sports Physical Fitness)
V-Values Formation and Moral Recovery
I-Industry and Entrepreneurship
C-Care for Health
E-Environment
OBJECTIVES OF NSTP COMMUNITY IMMERSION
The community immersion requirement of NSTP is a
to;
a) define community immersion as an
approach and strategy of developing projects
in serving people and communities;
b) enrich knowledge and competencies on
community immersion as a process for
development;
c) apply the principles and concepts of working
in the community through immersion
projects and activities;
d) expose NSTP trainees in depressed, deprived
and the underprivileged communities and
marginalized groups of our society;
e) appreciate the values of community
immersion as a means of developing
themselves as citizens and helping people
improve their way of life and in alleviating
their living conditions;
f) enhance civic consciousness and defense
preparedness; and
g) develop ethics of service imbued with good
citizenship values
The NSTP trainees are expected to initiate community-based
interventions in the form of projects and activities meant to
address the multi-faceted issues and concerns supported by
needs assessment/analysis study that maps out the problems
there from which IMPEDES the important aspirations of the
community people in the area of service.
The trainees, in their own little way, contribute to the
upliftment of the quality of life of the people in the service
areas and, at the same time, develop their ethics of service
imbued with the good citizenship values of Maka-Diyos,
Maka-Bayan, Maka-Tao, and Maka-Kalikasan thereby better
preparing them as reservists in responding to the call of the
times.
SYNTHESIS
Community immersion is a means for NSTP trainees to
value the critical role they play in nation-building as they
begin to have a deepened sense of awareness and
involvement in real-life situations in the communities that
encourage them to do civic works, particularly those that
relate to the dimensions on education, health,
entrepreneurship, environment, safety and disaster
management, sports and recreation, morals of the citizenry,
and other social welfare concerns. Further, it is a scheme
intended for them to contribute significantly to upholding
the youth and members in nation-building by setting the
groundworks of development at the grassroots level.
Unit 2: Understanding the Concepts and Principles of
Community Immersion
People involved in community immersion must be
knowledgeable on the basics of community. i.e. its meaning,
concepts, understanding principles and nature of problems
and issues arising there from. This will enable the trainees to
have a good grasp of the local situation thereby preparing
them to appropriately respond to the multivarious concerns
in the community and properly carry out immersion projects
and activities that is so conceived to bring about long-term
amelioration, and not just over-night, cosmetic solutions, of
the social menaces and ills.
What is a community?
Noted community development specialist Arlien Johnson
once wrote that the term ‘COMMUNITY’ refers to a group
of people gathered together in any geographic area, large
or small, who have common interest, actual or potentially
recognized in the social welfare field
To paraphrase the words of Johnson, a community is a
collective of people with similar interest and goals whether
living in the same geographic locality or not. The meaning
of community may actually vary depending on the
objectives of a program to be conducted in the area/place.
As per concept, a community may be categorized as
geographical or functional. The term geographical
community is defined in the purview of group of people
living in the same geographical location like in a certain
village, town, neighborhood, district, are or territory.
Meanwhile, community is said to assume the functional
nature if the aggregate of people though not necessarily
based on living in the same cause, having the same interest
and goals. These are people who hold common values, share
common functions or express common interest.
What are the Elements of a Community?
As a trainee, one should be aware of elements of a
community in order to understand the dynamics thereof. The
important elements are demographics, history, culture,
economy, and structures. The Demographics (Characteristics
of populations) tell a lot about the movement of the
population in the community that you will serve. History
allows you to identify certain patterns of change and
people’s way of adapting to these changes that can be useful
in plotting your activities. Understanding the economy,
culture, and community structure increase the chances of the
success of activities since anyone can provide culture based
and more realistic solutions to community concerns.
Based on these elements and by working with the
community, NSTP trainees can already formulate plan of
actions.
WHY IS IMMERSION AN IMPORTANT APPROACH
(STRATEGY) IN GIVING SERVICE TO THE
COMMUNITIES?
In a quote “Experience is the best teacher” Going through
the immersion process and conducting community service
activities /projects will enable the trainees to understand
how the people feel, think, say, and behave as dictated by
their conditions and situations in life as a means to make
feel and realize that they are not more fortunate than many
others and that the students can do something to improve the
lives of the marginalized and underserved.
WHAT IS COMMUNITY IMMERSION
Community immersion is an essential strategy in community
organizing work that entails understanding of the different
community concerns, process, dynamics and lifestyle
through exposure and engaging indifferent activities. It is
different from the actual organizing work
“Community immersion is a strategy that goes beyond
acquainting us with community concerns but make possible
our participants in their (re)solution.”
Community Immersion in NSTP is devised as a strategy in
molding and conscientizing students so that they may be
socially aware and responsible to their communities. This
manner of transformation is bent on training the youth to
becoming civic conscious and defense prepared individual.
The nature of immersion efforts done is along the
dimensions of, but not limited to, education, health, safety
education, sports and recreation, environmental services,
entrepreneurship, morals of citizenry and other social
welfare concerns.
What Personal Gains may a student get from community
immersion?
The community immersion aspects of NSTP will be able to
benefit not only the communities served but more so the
students-trainees who may be accorded with the following
advantages:
 Opportunity for the trainees to comprehend
people’s lives because of the chance given to them
to see real life situation, live, identify and associate
with the people therein;
 Gain social acceptance derived from community
relations couple with the right to offer services.
 Enhance experiences in conducting asset mapping
such as identifying geographic coverage, point out
resources and the use, and the relationships of
people with the existing resources;
 Establish rapport (close) and relationship with
different people who may be of help to them at
some future time;
 Develop their conscientization ability. It helps them
realize issues that will help solve problems in the
community. It is important for them to do
something that can change their situation.
 Acquire first-hand experiences in dealing with
community works; and the
 Change to learn life skills that will enrich and
better their persons.
The following are the forms of Integration in Community
Immersion:
* Home visit
*Living with selected families preferably with key
informants
*Informal discussions with individuals or groups
*Sharing in household and community activities
*Attendance in social gatherings
*Assistance in production work
WHAT YOU SHOULD AND SHOULD NOT DO
IN COMMUNITY IMMERSION
It is a basic rule that trainees must be well-versed with what
they are, skilled to communicate with community people,
and disciplined to keep themselves from responding
indifferently towards diverse types of personalities.
See reading materials a guide prepared by Dr. Florida C.
Labuguen and Ms. Emily Rose M. Bautista in the
manuscript form entitled “Essential Protocol When Visiting
Community.
“Community is vital to the development of the trainee’s
knowledge, skills, values and attitudes in realizing the
penultimate ends of NSTP.”
Immersion, as a methodology used in the NSTP Training, is
a mode of bringing the NSTP-CWTS/LTS student trainees
to the field for them to have a feel of the real-life situations,
living with the less-fortunate segments of the society and of
the people especially in the deprived, depressed and
underprivileged communities with the end in mind of
involving them into an endeavor that is
(forecast/foresee/anticipate) to alleviate poor and distressed
living conditions in the improvement of the communities
and their people.
Unit 3: The Process of Community Immersion
PHASE I: The Pre-Immersion
1. Identification of the community/barangays
DDU where students will be immersed
Area Selection?
*Marginalized sector, Education, Youth, Slum dwellers
2. Ocular Visit Inspection
* Anticipated Activities & demands that are within available
resource.
3. Accessibility (Mobility/ Transportation)
4. Organized Man Power, Generate Resources,
and other technical development needs
* Willingness of the community leaders to work with on
community projects.
5. Presence of Develop Agencies and NGO’s that
can provide assistance.
6. Identify point person in the community
7. Activities must be both exciting and exhausting
PHASE II: Entering the Community
 Helps identify the geographic coverage of the
project.
 Help point out the resources that may be used by
trainees in the community.
 Identify existing groups that might be interested in
working with you.
WAYS OF ENTERING THE COMMUNITY
 Ostentatious Entry (Putting Banners, Tarps,
General Assembly)
- “showy”, a lot is expected from trainees because
the community is boosted.
 Banking on People’s Weakness
-Outsiders enters the community by catching the
people’s attention. (What are the community’s main
problem?)
 Academic Style of Entry
-Communities are called social laboratories.
 People-centered Approach
-believe in the capacity of community people
-strong linkages with the community people
-care and support to improve the lives of
individuals
PHASE III: Community Integration
A continuous process wherein the trainees come into direct
contact and become involved with the community people.
Integration may be done through:
1. Broader Style- if provision allow trainees may
choose to stay and live in the immersion area for a
certain period of time.
2. Elitist Style- staying close to key informants and
political leaders of the community.
3. People-centered Style- the best way is the people-
centered methods of living with the people.
PHASE IV: Community Needs Assessment
Community Needs Assessment is a means to measures
problems, issues and concerns of a specific locality which
could done by interested group with sponsor to established
credibility.
Helps Identify problems, issues and concerns of the
community.
Importance of Community Needs Assessment Survey
1. Gather information about citizen’s attitude and
opinions.
2. Determine how people rank issues, problems
and opportunities.
3. Give voice to the people in determining
policies, goals and priorities.
4. Evaluate programs and policies
5. Provide ideas of what people think
6. Idea of want people want
Information to be included in Assessing Community
Needs
1.Historical Development - this refers to data on how the
community became what it is today and provides insights
into the kind of resources to collect and weed.
2. Geographical and Transportation Information- this
includes information on the community's patterns and
population contributions.
3. Political and Legal Functions - this includes strategies
for community- based selection (or this may include
strategies that community uses for selecting players in the
political sphere).
4. Demographic Data -this includes data on age
characteristics, size, race, and transience of population.
5. Economic Data- This refers to the economic base, social,
cultural, educational, recreational organization.
Whom do you immerse in the community?
 Parents
 Youth
 The different-abled constituents
 Professionals
 Member of people’s organizations & other formal Note: According to Merriam Webster, a diorama is a scenic
or informal groups representation in which sculptured figures and lifelike
 Potential collaborators of projects and activities details are displayed usually in miniature so as to blend
indistinguishably with a realistic painted background or an
PHASE V: Program/Project Implementation
artistic, three-dimensional representation of scene.
GRANTT CHART
A Gantt chart is a useful graphical tool which shows
activities or tasks performed against time. It is also known
as VISUAL PRESENTATION OF A PROJECT where the
activities are broken down and displayed on a chart which
makes it is easy to understand and interpret. Henry Gantt, an
American mechanical engineer, designed the Gantt chart.
A Gantt chart is a popular tool in project management. It
basically drills down activities which need to be done by a
fixed time period. It is commonly used for tracking project
schedules.
Phase VI: Termination of Projects
On the chart, tasks are shown on the vertical axis while the
scheduled time-spend is laid out on the horizontal axis. Each
task is represented by a bar that shows the time required for
the project.
Gantt chart is a useful tool in planning and scheduling the
projects. It keeps the management updated as to when the
project will get completed. It also keeps the management
informed about any additional resources that are required,
and manage dependencies between tasks.
The extension creed
Go to the people
Live with the people
Learn from them
Plan with them
Work with them.
Start with what they know
Build on what they have
Teach by showing, learn by doing
Not by showcase but a pattern
Not odds and ends but a system
Not piecemeal but integrated approach
Not to conform but transform
Not relief but release
-Extension Creed by: Dr. Y. C. James Yen of the
International Institute of Rural Reconstruction
Unit 4 & 5: Management of NSTP Community-Based
Projects
-An important ingredient to NSTP community immersion is
the development of community-based projects.
-In managing NSTP projects, the universal management
functions as planning, organization, staffing, directing and
controlling be given due consideration to ensure the success
of the implementation of the projects.
What is a Project Proposal?
A project proposal is a guide for both trainees and trainers in
attaining tasks while they are in community immersion.
Purpose of making project proposal in the light of NSTP
 It guides trainees and trainer’s in designing a
program for their clientele.
 It facilitates implementation, monitoring and
evaluation of the projects.
 It serves as database in making reports as a
requirement to the course.
 It makes work easier for it serves as reference for
trainees to give the right information needed for the
project.
 It serves as a ready source of data for research work
The Parts of an activity design
There are various formats used in the preparation of
an activity. Below is one of the designs followed. It elicits
the following information:

-In general terms, project management encompasses project 1. Title of the Project
planning, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation. a. NSTP area of concerns/Dimension
Project planning and implementation will form part of this 2. Location
unit 4 while monitoring and evaluation will be treated as a 3. Project Proponent/s
distinct subject in Unit 5. Leaders:
Members:
Project is a time-bound (duration of specific Months) 4. Implementing unit/Group
undertaking that is carried out to create a unique service. It 5. Project Duration
combines resources and channeled into a temporary 6. Objectives
structure in order to accomplish a specific goal. 7. Project Description
7.1 Background of the project
Involves a series of continues, often overlapping phases, this 7.2 Justification of the project
cycle process launches with survey of felt needs in the 7.3 Benefits derived from the project
locality that will serve as baseline information in the 7.4 Coverage
formulation of project or set of projects that may be 8. Methodology
undertaken in an uninterrupted or staggered manner. 9. Detailed Budgetary Requirements
10.Detailed Schedule of Activities
 As soon as we have identified the PROJECT
PLAN, it is prudent that we have an inventory of a) The Title
our resources. The title of the activity design must capture the need
 Mobilizing our limited resources (Human, Money, and present the name of clientele to be served. It must be
materials, and moment) is a fundamental thing to catchy to the readers. It must be written in all capital letter,
do. bold, and centered.
 The implementation comes with regular monitoring
to keep track of the development of the project. Example:
OPERATION PLAN (OPLAN): CLEAN AND GREEN
The Project Cycle (An activity on Waste Management and Green Philippines)

b) Location
Specific address where the activity will be implemented

c) Project Proponents.
 This part enumerates the names of persons to be
involved in the projects, their year level (if trainees), rank (if
trainers), contact numbers, and address or college.
-if there are several activities that require leaders in
every undertaking, names must be specified per activity
d) Implementation unit/Group
It must be noted that in writing this part of the proposal,
capital letters must be used to differentiate from the project
proponents.
Example:
Line 4 (Manpower-for placing trash bins in particular areas
and distributing other materials)
Group Leader:
Members:
Line 5 (responsible for the lecture proper)
Group Leader:
Members:
e) Project Duration
Specify days, weeks and months needed to complete the
project. Specify when the project will commence and
when will it be finished. Attach A GANTT CHART of
activity based on the length of the project.
Example:
Date of Implementation: January 21 and 28, 2017
f) Objectives of the Project
Example:
“The purpose of the two-day project/activity is the
maintenance of the cleanliness in Barangay Marites.
Toward this end, the following objectives are set:
1. To imbibe the importance of cleanliness among the
participants;
2. To increase the awareness of the community people
on the advantages of waste; and
3. To solicit the support of the people in maintaining
cleanliness and orderliness through waste segregation
Example:
Objectives of the Project
The general objective of the project is to provide
educational toys to educate students while playing.
Towards this end, the following objectives are set:
A. To develop social interaction among children.
B. To give children a sense of enjoyment while
learning.
C. To empower NSTP student trainees to make a
difference and in still in them the value of social
responsibility and hard work.
g) Project Description
The following standards must be observed in writing
the project description in facilitating the drafting of the
proposal:
 Background of the project
 Justification of the project
 Benefits derived from the project
 Coverage
Background of the project
This part requires at least three paragraphs that
provide a realistic background of the project describing the
modifying issues/problems that have influenced the
identification of the project. You can identify particular
differences or advantages over existing projects or cite
issues in some publications as proofs of underlying
problems or realistic serious or general occurrence.
Example: “We have noticed that, is some areas of the
barangay, improper waste disposal is prevalent. In like
manner, the incidence of open-hole drainage system in the
locality may pose a threat on the health condition of the
resident’s thereat.”
Justification of the project
Discuss the importance of the prepared project in
solving or providing action to help solve existing problems
inherent to the project. Give the expected output of the
project, benefits derived from it, and most probable
recipients of the benefits of the projects. It must be written
in 3-5 paragraphs.
Example: “A survey conducted last February 20, 2023
reveals that the barangay is faced with the problem of
improper waste disposal especially in the squatter’s area. It
is for this reason that the project is viewed as a significant
intervention in setting in place a system of waste
management.”
Coverage
The area or vicinity covered by the project and the
type of clients to be served should be reflected in the
proposal. This gives focus to whom the project is for and the
extent of its implementation
Example: “The project will cover the 100 families of the
barangay specifically the household help unemployed
housewives”
h) Methodology
This part cites the activities or strategies that should be
undertaken in order to achieve the objectives of the project.
It should describe the general approach of the project,
agency counterpart in case of partnership responsibilities
and obligations, manpower requirement and the manner on
how the specific activity will be undertaken if the project
calls for it.
Example: “The lecture-seminar method will be employed in
the project. Setting up of waste segregation bins will also be
done”
i) Detailed Budgetary Requirements
In preparation of the budget, the budgetary requirement
of the activities must be considered. The amount varies
depending on the extent of the project coverage. For most
instances, the bigger the project, the larger the budget
required. In many cases, budget depends on the size of
expenditures needed. Sources of fund must also be specified.
Budget is prepared using the following data.
Example:
Transportation……………………………….……..200.00
Communication………………………………..…….35.00
Supplies (wood for the bins, nails, etc.) …………...200.00
Demonstration/instructional materials………..……..25.00
Sundry and other miscellaneous expenses ……..….300.00
Contingency………………………….………...…..500.00
1,260.00
j) Detailed Schedule of Activities

Project Proposal
A. Title.
B. Location.
C. Project Proponents.
Leaders:
Members:
D. Project Implementing unit/Group.
E. Project Duration.
F. Objectives.
G. Project Description.
1. Background of the project
2. Justification of the project
3. Benefits derived from the project
4. Coverage
H. Methodology
I. Detailed Budgetary Requirements
J. Detailed Schedule of Activities
K. Project Evaluation (Unit-5)
L. Photo Documentation (Unit 5-Accomplishment
report)

Remember:
“If you fail to plan,
your plan to fail”