Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 4145

Introduced by Rep. ANGELO MARCOS BARBA
2” District, Ilocos Norte

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to establish a mandatory Citizen Service Program in all
private and public schools, colleges, universities, and similar learning
institutions pursuant to Section 4, Article II of the 1987 Constitution of the
Philippines, which provides:

Section 4. xxx The Government may call upon the people to
defend the State and, in the fulfillment thereof, all citizens may be
required, under conditions provided by law, to render personal
military or civil service.

A Citizen Service Program aims to promote civic consciousness among the
youth and instill in them discipline, nationalism, and patriotism. ‘This
proposed measure shall cover youth development, resiliency training,
community service, and other programs that will truly serve the nation.

The Citizen Service Program for elementary and senior high/high school
students shall focus on youth development training, resiliency training,
disaster preparedness, environment protection, and community service. It

shall also cover the National Service Training Program (NSTP) under Republic
Act No. 9163.

Students in the tertiary level, on the other hand, shall be given the right to
choose between the Citizen Service Program as established under this
proposed Act or the Reserved Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) under Republic
Act No. 7077. This measure also seeks to provide incentives for tertiary
students who opt to enroll in ROTC.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

ANGE! ‘COS BARBA.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 4145

Introduced by Rep. ANGELO MARCOS BARBA.
2nd District, Ilocos Norte

AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE CITIZEN SERVICE PROGRAM IN
ALL PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS, COLLEGES,
UNIVERSITIES, AND SIMILAR LEARNING INSTITUTIONS,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9163 AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Citizen
Service Act”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ The State recognizes the vital role
of the youth in nation-building. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
inculcate discipline, nationalism, and patriotism among the youth and
encourages their involvement in national development.

Toward this end, there is a need to establish a Citizen Service Program to
motivate, train, organize, and mobilize the youth in civic affairs.

SECTION 3. Citizen Service Program. - There shall be established a
mandatory Citizen Service Program for all students enrolled in the primary
and secondary levels, including those in Grade 11 and Grade 12, in both public
and private schools. The program shall have the following components:

. Youth development training
._ Resiliency training

. Health & Nutrition

. Disaster preparedness

» Environment protection

. Community service/action

Ogeere

The Department of Education (DepEd), in consultation with the
Department of National Defense (DND), Department of Health (DOH),
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the League of
Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) the League of Municipalities of the


Philippines (LMP) and the accredited associations of private schools, shall
formulate and administer the training program.

SECTION 4. Dual Streams at the Tertiary Level. ~ In the tertiary level,
the students may choose the dual streams of: (a) Citizen Service Program
established under this Act or (b) the Reserved Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC)
under Republic Act No. 7077.

The Department of National Defense (DND), Commission on Higher
Education (CHED) and Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority (TESDA) shall share responsibility for the formulation and adoption
of the Implementing Rules of this Act.

SECTION 5. Incentives. - For ROTC enrollees, the DND shall formulate
and adopt a new package of assistance and incentives, which shall include but
not be limited to the following:

a. Free hospitalization in all government hospitals for injuries sustained
or sickness acquired by reason of the training program;

b. Access to any Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) commissary and
Px stores nationwide, subject to the regulations to be issued by the
Chief of Staff of the AFP;

¢. Philippine Health Insurance for all ROTC enrollees to cover the period
of enrollment;

4. Life insurance; and

e. Stipend for ROTC cadet officers.

SECTION 6. Appropriations. — The amount needed for the
implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act.

SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is

declared invalid, the remainder or any provisions thereof not affected thereby
shall remain in force and effect.

SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - All acts and decrees, executive orders,
implementing rules and regulations or parts thereof, inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 9. Hffectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect upon its
Publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,