Lesson

Historical and
1 Legal Bases of NSTP

Objectives:
▪ Explore the historical origin of National Service Training Program;
▪ Explain the various components of the NSTP; and
▪ Rationalize the motivations behind the implementation
of NSTP in tertiary education.

Introduction
The promotion of community service amongst Filipino youth has been the ultimate
reason for the formation of the National Service Training Program (NSTP), and its inclusion
in the tertiary education curricula.
Hence, the program design, operational processes, and developmental activities of the
NSTP must be contributory to the enhancement of community life specifically health,
environment, safety, education, entrepreneurship, and recreation to ensure the realization of
the said cause.
In order for the students to appreciate the course, Lesson 1 provides a brief historical
background of NSTP specifically how it became a mandatory course under the tertiary
curricula and the legal bases it is anchored on.

Activity

I am a Patriot
As a student (in your
simplest way), how
will you show your
love to our country?
Write your three
plans for showing
your love for our
country.
Analysis
Directions: Read the questions carefully and write your answer on the lines
provided.
Your answer will be graded according to the rubrics found on page ____ of this module.

1. If the government has the prime duty to serve and protect its citizens, in return, what is our
responsibility to the state?
__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. What is/ are in the youth that the government recognizes their important role in nation-
building?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Abstraction
The National Service Training Program is a course that fosters civic
consciousness and defense preparedness among young people by developing
the ethics of service and patriotism. In 2001, Republic Act 9163 or the NSTP
Act of 2001 was enacted and implemented in Higher Education (HEIs) anywhere in the
country. NSTP is a course that must be taken by all male or female students taking a
baccalaureate degree or a two-year technical/vocational course in any private or public
institution. It is one of the academic requirements that needs to be completed before
graduating from college or technical/vocational course. According to the implementing rules
and regulations of the program, a student is required to complete the 25-hour common
modules before s/he is allowed to choose which program component under NSTP will s/he
pursue. The Common module contains various topics such as Citizenship Training, Drug
Abuse Prevention and Education, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, Environmental
awareness, and many others.
The NSTP has its historical basis in the 1935 Commonwealth Act No. 1, also known
as the National Defense Act, which aimed to oblige all men aged 18- 30 to participate in
Military Service. In 1980, Presidential Decree 1706 or National Service Law was enacted,

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which made all Filipinos obligated to participate in the Civic Welfare Service, Law
Enforcement Service, and Military Service. In the later years, Republic Act no.7077 or the
Citizen Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Act of 1991 was implemented as a
requirement for tertiary level students to acquire a baccalaureate degree in colleges,
universities and similar learning institutions. The unfortunate event that led to the death of a
college student in one University in the country implicated in hazing in the ROTC paved the
way for the enactment of RA 9163 or the NSTP Act of 2001.

Republic Act 9163 or NSTP Law

The state recognizes the mutual and shared responsibility of the government to serve
and protect its citizenry vis-a-vis the citizens obligation to defend the State. This concept
became the underpinning for the creation of the National Service Program then and now
which requires that each citizen may render personal, military or civil service.
Adherence to this notion, the NSTP Law also known as the National Service Training
Program (NSTP) Act of 2001 was signed into law by former President Gloria Macapagal
Arroyo last January 23, 2002. Its passage was made seamless through House Bill No. 3593
and Senate Bill No. 1824 which were passed last December 19, 2001.
Cognizant of the youth’s vital role in nation building, the law says that “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”.
National Service Training Program (NSTP) is a 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.

Three Components of NSTP

1. 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
2. Literacy Training Service (LTS)

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 Is 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. Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC)
Is 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.

Graduates of NSTP
➢ Non-ROTC Components
All CWTS and LTS graduates will automatically be part of the NSRC or
National Service Reserve Corps. They are the ones whom the state shall will call for
literary and civic welfare activities, especially in times of calamities through the joint
efforts DND, CHED, and TESDA, in coordination with DILG, DSWD, and other
concerned agencies/ organizations.
➢ ROTC Program
ROTC graduates will be part of the Citizens' Armed Forces pursuant to
Republic Act 7077.

Republic Act No. 7077

Also known as the Citizen Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Act, is a law
that provides for the development, administration, organization, training, maintenance and
utilization of the Citizen Armed Force of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. It was signed
into law by Former President Corazon C. Aquino last June 7, 1991. One of the highlights of
the law is the mandatory military training for students enrolled in colleges, universities and
similar institutions of learning pursuant to the provisions of the National Defense Act and the
1987 Constitution.

Presidential Decree No. 1706, s. 1980

This provides for the compulsory national service of Filipino citizens while amending
certain sections of Commonwealth Act No. 1, otherwise known as “The National Defense
Act” was signed by Former Ferdinand E. Marcos last August 8, 1980. The said law provides
that National Service in this sense shall consist of three main programs name: Civic Welfare
Service, Law Enforcement Service; and Military Service.

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Commonwealth Act No. 1
Also known as “The National Defense Act” provides for the utilization of the nation's
citizens and resources for national defense especially during emergencies. The law specifies
that Military Service shall be obligatory for all citizens of the republic. It was signed into law
last December 21, 1935 by the Philippine National Assembly during the Commonwealth
Period.

Directions: Read and do a research of the different legal mandates pertinent to

Application the implementation of the National Service Program. Create an infographic
that would show the historical timeline that led to the creation of what is now
known as the National Service Training Program (NSTP).

Brief Historical Background of the Birth of NSTP

Well done! You have just finished Lesson 1 of this module. Should there be some parts
of the lesson which you need clarification, you may ask your facilitator about it. Now, if you
are ready, you may proceed to Lesson 2 of this module.

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