NATIONAL

SERVICE
TRAINING
PROGRAM
1935- COMMONWEALTH ACT NO.1 (NATIONAL DEFENSE ACT)
BY: PRESIDENT MANUEL L. QUEZON
The National Defense Act of 1935 (Commonwealth Act No. 1) was passed by the
Philippine National Assembly on December 21, 1935. The purpose of this act was to
create an independent Philippine Army; this was interrupted by World War II.

1980- PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1706 (NATIONAL SERVICE LAW) BY: PRESIDENT
FERDINAND MARCOS
PROVIDING FOR COMPULSORY NATIONAL SERVICE FOR FILIPNO CITIZENS AND
AMENDING CERTAIN SECTIONS OF COMMONWEALTH ACT NUMBER ONE, AS
AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "THE NATIONAL DEFENSE ACT" FOR THE
PURPOSE

1986-1987-RESERVE OFFICER’S TRAINING CORPS (ROTC)

BY: PRESIDENT CORAZON AQUINO
Republic Act No. 7077 on June 27, 1991
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT, ADMINISTRATION, ORGANIZATION,
TRAINING, MAINTENANCE AND UTILIZATION OF THE CITIZEN ARMED FORCES OF
THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

2001- RA. 9163 NSTP ACT OF 2001

BY. PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO
“AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM (NSTP) FOR
THE TERTIARY LEVEL STUDENTS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO
7077 AND PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO 1706 AND FOR OTHER PURPOSE”
Implementing Rules and Regulations
Of the National Service Training Program
Under Republic Act No. 91630
Pursuant to Section 12 of Republic Act No. 9163 otherwise known
as the National Service Training Program (NSTP) Act of 2001, the
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Technical Education and
Skill Development Authority (TESDA), and Department of National
Defense (DND), in consultation with concerned government
agencies, the Philippines Association of State Universities and
Colleges (PASUC), Coordinating Council of Private Educational
Associations of the Philippines (COCOPEA), Non-Government
Organizations (NGOs) and recognized student organizations, hereby
jointly issue, adopt and promulgate the following implementing rules
and regulations in implement the provisions of the Act.
 Rule I
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
 Section 1. Guiding Principle
While it is the prime duty of the government to serve and
protect its citizens, in turn it shall be the responsibility of all
citizens to defend the security and promote the general
welfare of the State, and in fulfillment thereof, the
government may require each citizen to render personal
military or civil service.

Section 2. ROLE OF THE YOUTH

A. In recognition of the vital role of the youth in national-
building, the State shall promote civic consciousness among
them and shall develop their physical, moral, spiritual,
intellectual and social wellbeing. It shall inculcate the
ideals of patriotism, nationalism, and advance their
involvement in public and civic affairs.

B. As the most valuable resource of the nation, they shall be

motivated, trained, organized and involved in military,
literacy, civic welfare program and other similar endeavor in
the service of the nation.
 Rule II
DEFINITION OF TERMS
 Section 3. As used in the implementing Rules and
Regulation (IRR), the following terms shall mean:

A. “National Service Training Program” (NSTP) - 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 the (3) Program components,
specifically designed to enhance the youth’s active contribution to the general welfare;

B. “Reserve Officers’ Training Corps” (ROTC) – refers to the Program component,

institutionalized under Section 38 and #9 Republic Act 7077, designed to provide military to
tertiary level students in order, train, organize and mobilize them for national defense
preparedness;

C. “Literacy Training service” (LTS) – refers to the Program component designed to train
the students to teach literacy and numeracy skill to school children, out-of-school youths
and other segments of society in need of their service;
 D.“Civic Welfare Training Program” (CWTS) – refers to the Program component or
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 service;

E.“ Program Components” - refer to the service components of the NSTP as defined
herein;
F.“Clustering” – refers to the grouping of students enrolled to different school and taking up
the same NSTP component into one (1) group under the management and supervision of a
designated school;

G.“Cross Enrollment” refers to a system of enrollment where a student is officially enrolled

in an academic program of an origin school but is allowed to enroll in the NSTP component
of another accepting school;

H.“Non-Government Organization” (NGO) – refers to any private organization duly

accredited by CHED or recognized by TESDA; and

I.“Student Cadet” – refers to a student enrolled in the ROTC component

 Rule III
PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
Section 4. COVERAGE
A. All incoming freshmen students, male and female, starting school year (SY) 2002-2003,
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
requirement.
 The above provision however does not cover the following:
a.1 Students who finished or graduated from a baccalaureate degree or two year technical-
vocational or associate course and pursuing or enrolled in another or additional
baccalaureate degree or two-year technical-vocational or associate course in SY 2003-
2004, and
a.2 Students who completed any the thee NSTP components but considered freshmen to
the course where they transferred or shifted.
a.3 Foreign students or aliens.
B. All higher educational institutions including State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and
technical-0vocational education institutions must offer upon enrollment, all the three (3)
NSTP components. However, State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) are required to
maintain and provide the ROTC component. In cases that the enrollment of ROTC Cadets
is less than 350 then, the provisions of clustering Section 7 of NSTP IRR (RA9163) should
be followed.
C. Program of study (syllabus) and enrollment shall bear the “NSTP” without stating therein
the three components. There shall be an orientation for all NSTP enrollees to be jointly
conducted by the ROTC, CWTS, and LTS coordinators/ implementers. Students enrolled in
the first semester of the freshman year shall be made to undergo a common module phase
for 25 hours training period. Subjects covered are: citizenship training; drug; education;
disaster awareness, preparedness and management; environment protection; and other
national security concerns. Upon completion of the common module phase, the student
must select the specific NSTP program component that he/she will pursue.

D. The Philippine Military Academy (PMA), Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA),
Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) is exempted from the NSTP in view of the
special character of these institution. Other State Universities and Colleges of similar nature
will nature will be exempted subject to approval of the Department of National Defense.

E. Private High Educational Institution (HEIs) and technical-vocational education institution with at list
350 student cadet must establish/maintain a Department of Military Science and Tactics (DMST),
subject to existing rules and regulations. For DMST), Subject to existing rules and regulations. For
DMST previously approved and activated shall retain the status regardless of the number of cadets.
However, for DMST has been created after approval of this IRR, there must be a minimum of 350
cadets. In cases where the number of cadets will be lesser than 350 clustering of ROTCU will be
undertaken with the ROTCU of the State University and Colleges within the nearest environ with the
lead role.
 Section 5. PROGRAM COMPONENTS
A. The NSTP shall have the following components which the students can choose from as
defined in Rule II, Section 3 hereof: The Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), Literacy
Training Service (LTS), and Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS).
B. All program components; the ROTC in particular, shall give emphasis on citizenship
training and shall instill patriotism, moral virtues, respect for the right of civilians and
adherence to the Constitution.
C. The CHED and TESDA, in consultation with the DND, and PACUA, COCOPEA and other
concerned government agencies, may design and implement such other non-military
training components as may be necessary in consonance with the provisions of R.A. 9163.

D. Within thirty (30) days from the approval of this IRR, the CHED, TESDA, and the DND
shall issue the minimum standards for the three (3) NSTP components, which shall part of
these guidelines.
 Section 6. DURATION AND
EQUIVALENT COURSE UNIT

A. Each of the aforementioned NSTP components shall be undertaken for an academic

period of two (2) semesters. It shall be credited for three (3) units per semester, for Fifty-
four (54) to ninety (90) training hours per semester.

B. A One (1) summer program in lieu of the two (2) semester program may be designed,
formulated and adopted by the DND, CHED and TESDA, subject to the capability of the
school and the AFP to handle the same.

C. Earned NSTP units shall not be included in the computation of grade Point Average
(GPA) grades of college graduating students.
 Section 7. CLUSTERING AND
CROSS-ENROLLMENT

A. Clustering of students from different education institutions during semester or summer

periods may be done for any of the NSTP component, taking account logistics, branch of
service and geographical locations. The host school shall be responsible in managing the
program.
B. The school must allow any NSTP students to cross-enroll in any CHED/TESDA
recognized institution. In cases that the enrolment of ROTC Cadets is less than 350 then,
the provisions of clustering in Section 7 of NSTP IRR (RA9163) should be followed.

C. Students intending to cross-enroll shall be subject to the existing rule and regulations of
the school of origin and the accepting school.
 Section 8. MONITORING AND
EVALUATION

A. Management
a.1 The school authorities shall exercise academic and administrative supervision over the
design, formulation, adoption and implementation of the different NSTP components in their
respective schools: Subject to the provision of this IRR
a.2 There should be an NSTP Office in each school or college/university headed by NSTP
Director or its equivalent position responsible for the implementation of the Program. Each
of the NSTP components is Office, and the head of the unit shall report directly to the NSTP
Director or its equivalent position.
a.3 . A Function chart of the NSTP Office Shall be structured based on the capability of the
institution to sustain the component program being offered based on the number of
enrollees.
a.4. In the case of ROTC, the school authorities and DND , subject to the, regulation and
programs of DND on the military component of the training, shall exercise joint supervision
over its implementation.
a.5. NGOs contracted by the school must secure a joint accreditation from CHED, DND and
TESDA to formulate and administer training modules for CWTS and LTS components.
CHED, DND and TESDA shall jointly exercise such academic and administrative
supervision with those NGOs. Within forty five (45) days from approval and issuance of this
IRR, the CHED, TESDA and DND shall issue the necessary guidelines for the accreditation
of non-government organizations (NGOs) and training modules to be utilized these NGOs.

a.6. The DND shall formulate and administe4r training modules for the ROTC program

B. Monitoring
b.1. An NSTP Joint Committee at provincial, regional and national level shall be created by
Tripartite agreement for monitoring all the program components in the various institutions.

b.2.CHED/TESDA regional offices, and DND-AFP ( through the Major Service Reserved
Commands), shall oversee and monitor the implementation of the NSTP under their
respective jurisdiction, to determine if the training conducted are in consonance with the
Act. These offices shall submit periodic reports to the NSTP Joint Coordinating Committee.
 b.3. An annual NSTP Performance Evaluation (ANPE) shall be conducted towards the end
of the school year to evaluate and determine the achievement of training objectives of the
NSTP three components program.
CHED, TESDA and DND (through the Major Service Reserve Commands) shall formulate
respective evaluation parameters on program administration implementation which shall
jointly from part in the minimum standards.
b.4. At the end of every school year, the Higher Education Institution shall submit Annual
Report to the CHED Regional Office copy furnished the Office of the Student Services in
electronic template, indicating the following:
b.4.1. Names who finished under each NSTP component.
b.4.2. The programs, projects and activities, undertaken with pictorials and
documentation as much as possible, and
b.4.3. Financial Statements on the funds collected, and utilized
The Annual Report of NSTP by the university or college shall be made available to
faculty, students and the general public in the NSTP Office.
In regions with universities and colleges having two or more campuses, the university
concerned shall consolidate the report before submission to CHED Regional Offices.

b.5. In cases of violation of guidelines, warning and/or sanction shall be imposed to

schools and accredited NGOs’ pursuant to pertinent rules and regulations.
 Rule IV
FEES AND INCENTIVES
 Section 9. Fees
A. No fees shall be collected for any of the NSTP component except basic tuition, which
should not be more than fifty (50%) percent of the charges of the school year per academic
unit. NSTP fees collected shall constitute o Trust Fund, which shall be exclusively used for
the operation of the Program.

B. NSTP fees collective shall be constitute a Trust Fund, 70% of which shall be exclusively
used for the operation of the program. The 30% retained by the school shall served as
contingency fund especially in support to un-programmed activities not originally included in
the program of expenditures prepared by the ROTC commandant or CWTS/LTS
Coordinator and approved by the school head.

C. NSTP Funds derived from the NSTP-related operations shall serve as augmentation to
sustain un-programmed activities of the NSTP.

D. The unexpected fund balance shall be carried over to the next semester, provided
however, NSTP funds shall not be converted into savings at the expenses of the proper
implementation of the program.
F. Expenditures/disbursement shall be subjected to periodic audits by the proper school
authorities and concerned NSTP Offices.

G. NSTP component (ROTC/CWTS/LTS) coordinators shall submit a comprehensive report

on the utilization of the NSTP funds to their respective NSTP Directors two (2) weeks after
the end of every semester. ROTC commandants shall submit the same report to their to the
respective Major Service Reserve Commands.

H. The NSTP Director or its equivalent shall submit a comprehensive report on the
utilization of the NSTP fund s by program component to the school head, two weeks after
the end of every semester.

I. Rental space of the school and other similar expenses shall not be charged to NSTP.
 Section 10. Incentive, Insurance and Protection

A. Incentives
A program of assistance/incentives for ROTC students shall be provided and administered
by DND, in accordance with existing laws and regulations and subject to the availability of
funds.

A Special Scholarship Program and other forms of assistance and incentives for qualified
NSTP students shall be administered by CHED and TESDA, with funds for the purpose to
be included in the annual regular appropriations of the two agencies, subject to the
availability of funds.
The college or university may provide scholarship and other forms of assistance and
incentives to qualified and deserving NSTP students, the funding of which shall come from
available NSTP funds of the school.

Personnel involved in the NSTP shall be provided honorarium and other incentives based
on the standard policy set forth by the HEIs.
B. Insurance and Protection
School authorities concerned, CHED and TESDA shall ensure the health and accident
group insurances are provided for students enrolled in any of the NSTP components.

Schools that already provide health and accident group insurance and collect the necessary
fees for the purpose from their students as of the affectivity of these rules, are deemed to
have complied with this requirement.
 RULE V
ORGANIZATION OF NSTP
GRADUATES
 Section 11. Organization of NSTP Graduates
A. Graduates of non-ROTC components of the NSTP shall belong to the National Service
Reserve Corps (NSRC) and could be tapped by the State for literacy and civic welfare
activities, especially in times of calamities through the joint efforts of DND, CHED and
TESDA, in coordination with DILG, DSWD, and other concerned agencies/associations.

B. The CHED, TESDA and DND, in consultation with other concerned government and non-
government agencies, shall issue the necessary guidelines for the establishment ,
organization, maintenance and utilization of the National Service Reserve Corps.

C. Graduates of the ROTC program shall form part of the Citizen Armed Force pursuant to
RA 7077, subject to the requirements of the DND.
  RULE VI
MISCELLANEOUS
PROVISIONS
Section 12. Certificate of completion
Certificate of completion with corresponding serial number issue by CHED, TESDA or DND,
shall be awarded to students who have successfully complied with the program
requirements.

Section 13. Information Dissemination

The CHED, TESDA and DND shall provide information on these Act and IRR to all
concerned publics through different modes of disseminating information.

 Section 14. Amendatory Clause

A. Section 35 of Commonwealth Act No. 1, Executive Order No. 207 of 1939, Sections 2
and 3 of Presidential Decree No. 1706, and Section 38 and 39 of Republic Act No.7077, as
well as laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations and other issuances inconsistent with
the provisions of the Act are hereby deemed amended and modified accordingly.
These Rules may be amended, modified, or replaced jointly by CHED, TESDA and DND, in
consultation with PASUC, COCOPEA, NGOs and recognized student organizations.

Section 15. Separability Clause.

If any or provisions of this IRR shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other section
or provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 16. Effectivity.

These Rules shall take effect 15 days after publication in a newspaper circulation and shall
remain in force and effect until revoked or amended