Historical and Legal Bases of NSTP

Study Notes

The National Service Training Program (NSTP) is a civic education and defense preparedness program instituted by the Philippine Government in 2001 through Republic Act 9163.
The NSTP encompasses three program components:
- Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS): Focuses on community development activities.
- Literacy Training Service (LTS): Trains students in teaching literacy and numeracy skills to younger students and out-of-school youth.
- Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC): Provides military education and training for national defense preparedness.
Graduates of CWTS and LTS are organized into the National Service Reserve Corps (NSRC).
Graduates of the ROTC program component are organized into the Citizen Armed Force.
Several legal precedents laid the foundation for NSTP:
- Commonwealth Act No. 1 (1935): Established obligatory military service for all male citizens between 18 and 30 years old.
- Presidential Decree No. 1706 (1980): Made national service obligatory for all Filipino citizens, encompassing civic welfare, law enforcement, and military service.
- Republic Act 7077 (1991): Established the Citizen Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Act, focusing on the organization, training, and utilization of reservists.

Article 2, Section 4 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states: "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."
Article 2, Section 13 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states: "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."
These provisions establish a legal framework for the concept of national service in the Philippines:
- Emphasize government's duty to serve and protect its citizens.
- Acknowledge the importance of youth in nation-building.
- Allow for mandatory national service in both military and civil domains.
- Inculcate patriotism and nationalism in the youth.
- Encourage involvement in public and civic affairs.
These constitutional provisions have been directly linked to the creation and implementation of the NSTP.