HANDOUT NO.1.

2
RA 9163 and its Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR)

AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM (NSTP) FOR TERTIARY
LEVEL STUDENTS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7077 AND PRESIDENTIAL
DECREE NO. 1706, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title .This Act shall be known as the "National Service Training Program (NSTP) Act of 2001".

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby affirmed 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 of the State and in fulfillment
thereof, the government may require each citizen to render personal, military or civil service.

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.

In pursuit of these goals, the youth, the most valuable resource of the nation, shall be motivated, trained,
organized and mobilized in military training, literacy, civic welfare and other similar endeavors in the service of
the nation.

Section 3. Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Act, the following are hereby defined as follows:

(a) "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.

(b) "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.

(c) "Literacy Training Service" 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.
(d) "Civic Welfare Training Service" 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.

(e) "Program Component" shall refer to the service components of the NSTP as enumerated in Sec. 4 of this
Act.

Section 4. Establishment of the National Service Training Program. There is hereby established a National
Service Training Program, which shall form part of the curricula of all baccalaureate degree courses and of at
least two (2)-year technical vocational courses and is a requisite for graduation, consisting of the following service
components:

(1) The Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), which is hereby made option and voluntary upon the
effectivity of this Act;
(2) The Literacy Training Service; and
(3) The Civic Welfare Training Service

The ROTC under the NSTP shall instill patriotism, moral virtues, respect for rights of civilians, and adherence to
the Constitution, among others. Citizenship training shall be given emphasis in all three (3) program components.
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
(TESDA), in consultation with the Department of National Defense (DND), Philippine Association of State
Universities and Colleges (PASUC), Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations of the Philippines
(COCOPEA) and other concerned government agencies, may design and implement such other program
components as may be necessary in consonance with the provisions of this Act.

Section 5. Coverage.
Students, male and female, of any baccalaureate degree course or at least two (2)-year technical vocational
courses in public and private educational institutions shall be required to complete one (1) of the NSTP
components as requisite for graduation.

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Section 6. Duration and Equivalent Course Unit. Each of the aforementioned NSTP program components
shall be undertaken for an academic period of two (2) semesters.

In lieu of the two (2) semester program for any of the components of the NSTP, a one (1)-summer program may
be designed, formulated and adopted by the DND, CHED, and TESDA.

Section 7. NSTP Offering in Higher and Technical-Vocational Educational Institutions. All higher and
technical-vocational institutions, public and private, must offer at least one of the program components; Provided,
that State universities and colleges shall offer the ROTC component and at least one other component as
provided herein; Provided, further, that private higher and technical-vocational education institutions may also
offer the ROTC if they have at least three hundred and fifty (350) cadet students.

In offering the NSTP whether during the semestral or summer periods, clustering of affected students from
different educational institutions may be done, taking into account logistics, branch of service and geographical
considerations. Schools that do not meet the required number of students to maintain the optional ROTC and
any of the NSTP components shall allow their students to cross-enroll to other schools irrespective of whether
or not the NSTP components in said schools are being administered by the same or another branch of service
in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), CHED and TESDA to which schools are identified.

Section 8. Fees and Incentives. Higher and technical vocational institutions shall not collect any fee for any of
the NSTP components except basic tuition fees, which shall not be more than fifty percent (50%) of what is
currently charged by schools per unit.

In the case of ROTC, the DND shall formulate and adopt a program of assistance and/or incentive to those
students who will take the said component.

The school authorities concerned, CHED and TESDA shall ensure that group insurance for health and accident
shall be provided for students enrolled in any of the NSTP components.

Section 9. Scholarships. There is hereby created a Special Scholarship Program for qualified students taking
the NSTP which shall be administered by the CHED and TESDA. Funds for this purpose shall be included in the
annual regular appropriations of the CHED and TESDA.

Section 10. Management of the NSTP Components. 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; Provided, That in case a CHED- or TESDA-accredited non-government
organization (NGO) has been contracted to formulate and administer a training module for any of the NSTP
components, such academic and administrative supervision shall be exercised jointly with that accredited NGO;
Provided, further, That such training module shall be accredited by the CHED and TESDA.

The CHED and TESDA regional offices shall oversee and monitor the implementation of the NSTP under their
jurisdiction to determine if the trainings are being conducted in consonance with the objectives of this Act.
Periodic reports shall be submitted to the CHED, TESDA and DND in this regard.

Section 11. Creation of the National Service Reserve Corps. There is hereby created a National Service
Reserve Corps, to be composed of the graduates of the non-ROTC components. Members of this Corps may
be tapped by the State for literacy and civic welfare activities through the joint effort of the DND, CHED and
TESDA.
Graduates of the ROTC shall form part of the Citizens' Armed Force, pursuant to Republic Act No. 7077.

Section 12. Implementing Rules. The DND, CHED and TESDA shall have the joint responsibility for the
adoption of the implementing rules of this Act within sixty (60) days from the approval of this Act.
These three (3) agencies shall consult with other concerned government agencies, the PASUC and COCOPEA,
NGOs and recognized student organizations in drafting the implementing rules.
The implementing rules shall include the guideline for the adoption of the appropriate curriculum for each of the
NSTP components as well as for the accreditation of the same.

Section 13. Transitory Provisions. Students who have yet to complete the Basic ROTC, except those falling
under Sec. 14 of this Act, may either continue in the program component they are currently enrolled or shift to
any of the other program components of their choice; Provided, That in case he shifts to another program
component, the Basic ROTC course he has completed shall be counted for the purpose of completing the NSTP
requirement; Provided, further, That once he has shifted to another program component, he shall complete the
NSTP in component.

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Section 14. Suspension of ROTC Requirement. The completion of ROTC training as a requisite for graduation
is hereby set aside for those students who despite completing all their academic units as of the effectivity of this
Act have not been allowed to graduate.

Sec. 15. Separability Clause. If any section or provision of this Act shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid,
the other sections or provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 16. Amendatory Clause. Sec. 35 of Commonwealth Act No. 1, Executive Order No.207 of 1939,
Sections 2 and 3 of Presidential Decree No. 1706, and Sections 38 and 39 or Republic Act No. 7077, as well as
all laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations and other issuances inconsistent with the provisions of this Act
are hereby deemed amended and modified accordingly.

Section 17. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in two (2) newspapers of
national circulation, but the implementation of this Act shall commence in the school year of 2002-2003.

Approved:

(Sgd) FRANKLIN M. DRILON (Sgd) JOSE DE VENECIA, JR.

President of the Senate Speaker of the House of Representatives

This Act which is a consolidation of H.B. No. 3593 and S.B. No. 1824 was finally passed by the House of Representatives
and the Senate on December 19, 2001.

(Sgd) OSCAR G. YABES (Sgd) ROBERTO P. NAZARENO

Secretary of the Senate Secretary General
House of Representatives

Approved: January 23, 2002

(Sgd) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

President of the Philippines

REVISED IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING

PROGRAM (RA 9163)
(Adopted and Issued by CHED, DND, and TESDA on the 13 th day of November, 2009)

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 Skills Development
Authority (TESDA), and Department of National Defense (DND), in consultation with concerned government
agencies, the Philippine 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 to 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 nation – building, the State shall promote civic
consciousness among them and shall develop their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social
well – being. 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 programs and other similar endeavors in the service of the nation.

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 Rule II
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Section 3. As used in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (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 program components
specifically designed to enhance the youth’s active contribution to the general welfare.
b. Reserved Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) – refers to the program component, 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.
c. Literacy Training Service (LTS) – refers to the program component designed to train the students to
teach literacy and numeracy skills to school children, out – of – school youths and other segments of
society in need of their services.
d. Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS) – refers to the program component or activities contributory to
the general welfare and betterment of the life of the members for the members of the community,
e. Program Component – refers to the service components of the NSTP as defined herein.
f. Clustering – refers to the grouping of students enrolled in different schools 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 were a student is officially enrolled in an academic
program of a 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.
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 course in SY 2003 – 2004;
a. 2. Students who completed any of the three NSTP components but considered freshmen to
the course where they transferred or shifted; and
a. 3. Foreign students or aliens.

b. All higher educational institutions including State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and technical-
vocational 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 in Section 7of NSTP IRR (RA 9163) should be followed.
c. Program of study (Syllabus) and enrollment forms shall bear “NSTP” without stating therein the three (3)
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;
environmental protection; and other national security concerns. Upon completion of the common
module phase, the student must select the specific NSTP program component that s/he will pursue.
d. The Philippine Military Academy (PMA), Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA), and Philippine
National Police Academy (PNPA) are exempted from the NSTP in view of the special character of these
institutions. Other State Universities and Colleges of similar nature will be exempted subject to approval
of the Department of National Defense.
e. Private Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) and technical-vocational education institutions with at least
350 student cadets, must establish/maintain a Department of Military Science and Tactics (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 these
IRR, there must be a minimum of 350 cadets. In cases where the number of cadets will be lesser by 350
clustering of ROTCU will be undertaken with the ROTC of the State University and Colleges with the
nearest environ with the lead role.

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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 Officers 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 rights of civilians and adherence to the Constitution.

b. 1. There should be an NSTP Office in each school or college/university headed by an NSTP

Director or its equivalent position responsible for the implementation of the Program. Each of the
NSTP components is considered a distinct and/or separate unit under the NSTP Office, and the
head of the unit shall report directly to the NSTP Director or its equivalent position.
b. 2. A functional 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.
b. 3. In the case of the ROTC, the school authorities and DND, is subject to the policies,
regulations, and programs of DND on the military component of the training, shall exercise joint
supervision over its implementation.
b. 4. 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 by these NGOs.
b. 5. The DND shall formulate and administer training modules for the ROTC program.
c. Monitoring
c. 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.
c. 2. CHED/TESDA Regional Offices, and DND – AFP (through the Major Service Reserve
Commands), shall oversee and monitor the implementation of the NSTP under their respective
jurisdiction, to determine if the trainings conducted are in consonance with the act. These offices
shall submit periodic reports to the NSTP Joint Coordinating Committee.
c. 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
component program). CHED, TESDA and DND (through Major Service Reserve Commands)
shall formulate respective evaluation parameters on program administration and implementation
which shall jointly form part in the minimum standards.
d. The CHED and TESDA, in consultation with the DND, and PASUC, 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.
e. Within thirty (30) days from the approval of the IRR, the CHED, TESDA, and the DND shall jointly issue
the minimum standards for the three (3) NSTP components which shall form 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 the 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 – Enrolment
a. Clustering of students from different education institutions during semestral or summer periods may be
done for any of the NSTP component, taking into 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 student 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 (RA 9163) should be followed.

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 c. Students intending to cross enroll shall be subject to the existing rules and regulations of the school origin
and the accepting school.
Section 8. Monitoring and Evaluation
A. Management
a. 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.
b. At the end of every school year, the Higher Education Institution shall submit an Annual Report to the
CHED Regional Office copy furnished the Office of the Student Services in Electronic template, indicating
the following:
b. 1. Names who finished under each NSTP component.
b. 2. The programs, projects and activities, undertaken with pictorials and documentation as much
as possible; and
b. 3. Financial statements on the funds collected, and utilized.
The annual report on NSTP by the university or college shall be made available to faculty, students and
the general public in the NSTP Office.
b. 4. In cases of violations of guidelines, warnings and/or sanctions 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 components except basic tuition fees which should not
be more than fifty (50%) percent of the charges of the school per academic unit. NSTP fees collected
shall constitute a Trust Fund, which shall be exclusively used for the operation of the Program.
b. NSTP fees collected shall constitute a Trust Fund, 70% of which shall be exclusively used for the
operation of the Program. The remaining 30% retained by the school shall serve as contingency fund
especially in support to un-programmed activities not originally included in the program of expenditures
prepared by the school head.
c. NSTP funds derived from NSTP-related operations shall serve as augmentation to sustain un-
programmed activities of NSTP.
d. The unexpended fund balance shall be carried over to the next semester, provided however; NSTP
funds shall not be converted into savings at the expense of the proper implementation of the program
e. Subsidies from the government, any legal agency or institution appropriated for NSTP shall be included
in the preparation of the program of expenditure and report on the utilization of funds.
f. Expenditures/disbursements shall be subjected to periodic audits by the proper school authorities and
concerned NSTP Officials.
g. NSTP Component (ROTC/CWTS/LTS) coordinators shall submit a consolidated 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 respective Major Service
Reserve Commands.
h. The NSTP Director or its equivalent shall submit a consolidated comprehensive report on the utilization
of the NSTP Funds by program component to the school head, within 30 calendar days after the end of
every semester.
i. Rental space of school and other similar expenses shall not be charged to NSTP.
Section 10. Incentive, Insurance and Protection

A. Incentives
a. 1. 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. 2. 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.
a. 3. 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.

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 a. 4. 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

b. 1. School authorities concerned, CHED and TESDA shall ensure that health and accident group
insurances are provided for students enrolled in any of the NSTP components.
b. 2. Schools that already provide health and accident group insurance and collect the necessary fees
for the purpose from their students as of the effectivity of this Rules, are deemed to have complied with
this requirement.

Rule V
ORGANIZATION OF NSTP GRADUATES

Section 11. Organization of NSTP Graduates

a. Graduates of the non-ROTC components of the NSTP shall belong to the National Service Reserve
Corps (NSPC) 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 DND.
Rule VI
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 12. Certificate of Completion. Certificate of Completion with corresponding serial number issued 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, Section 2 and 3 of presidential
Decree No. 1706,and Sections 38 and 39 of Republic Act No. 7077, as well as all laws, decrees, orders,
rules and regulations and other issuances inconsistent with the provisions of the Act are hereby deemed
amended and modified accordingly.
b. This 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 provisions of this IRR shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid,
the other sections or provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 16. Effectivity. These rules shall be take effect 15 days after publication in a newspaper of general
circulation and shall remain in force and effect until revoked or amended.

Adopted and issued: In witness whereof, the parties herein hereby affix their signatures this 13 th day of
November 2009.

SGD. HON. GILBERTO C. TEODORO, JR. SGD. HON. EMMANUEL Y. ANGELES, Ph. D.
Secretary of National Defense Chairman, CHED

SGD. HON. AUGUSTO L. SYJUCO, JR.

Director General, TESDA

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