Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House eitt no, 2153

Introduced by KABATAAN PARTY-LIST Rep. Raoul Danniel A. Manuel

AN ACT
EXPANDING THE COVERAGE OF THE NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING (NSTP)
PROGRAM BY AMENDING RA 9163 OR THE NSTP ACT OF 2001

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The objective of this bill is to provide more engaging social and civic service programs that will
uplift the Filipino students’ sense of nationalism and duty under the National Service Training
Program (NSTP).

Recently. some camps push for the return of the Mandatory Reserve Officers Training Corps
(ROTC) program either in the secondary or tertiary levels of education. The rationale behind
this, according to them, is to teach leadership, nationalism, and other essential skills to the
Filipino youth to address certain cultural trends that they have “identified.”

Itis worth noting that the Duterte administration in its campaign to crack down on dissent inside
schools and universities has made Mandatory ROTC a priority legislation under the guise of
nationalism and patriotism’. Yet it supported policies such as the CHED Memorandum Order
20 which removes subjects like Filipino, Philippine History, and Philippine Government and
Constitution in General Education courses in tertiary education

Hence, the intent to reinstate Mandatory ROTC is to advance the militarist approach in ruling
the nation. It aims to create a new breed of war machines from the youth who have long called
for the protection of their democratic rights. If inculcating nationalism and patriotism to the
youth is indeed a priority policy of this administration, it should restore subjects that are central
to our country’s culture and identity and protect the academic freedom and democratic rights of
the youth

Mandatory ROTC advocates also cite the impasse in the West Philippine Sea as justification
for the program's reinstatement in colleges and universities, Some have expressed that
Mandatory ROTC will address the need to bolster our country's dwindling military force and be
a crucial factor come time for military conflict. While the Philippine Constitution asserts that the
people are duty-bound to defend the State, providing military training, institutional or material
support. should not be the responsibility of civilian educational institutions.

Using campuses for military training and for setting up military barracks is inconsistent with
Rules 22-24 of the International Humanitarian Law and other treaties which restrict the use of


schools for military purposes. It is also inconsistent with Republic Act 7610 or the Special
Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act which states “public
infrastructure such as schools. hospitals, and rural health units shall not be utilized for military
Purposes such as command posts, barracks, detachments, and supply depots.”

The military culture propagated by the ROTC is inconsistent with academic freedom. Schools
are places for opening minds to new ideas, critical and independent thinking. and a venue for
interaction among people of different background, status, beliefs, and the exchange of ideas.
Military training imposes strict obedience to authority and hierarchy, it prescribes that critical
thinking must be subordinate to the chain of command. Mandatory ROTC or mandatory military
training within the campus imposes the military worldview in institutions where students are
Tequired to be intellectually engaged and politically diverse

Moreover, the continuing occurrence of human rights violations and a fatal culture in the ROTC
Program caused it to be declared voluntary in the first place. After the death of Mark Welson
Chua, Philippine Congress enacted the NSTP Act of 2001 which mandated the offering of Civic
Welfare Training Service (CWTS) and Literacy Training Service (LTS) as options for students
aside from ROTC.

Even after ROTC became non-compulsory. abuses within the program abound. Two cases in
2019 led to the death of ROTC cadet officers, one after being attacked by another cadet officer
and the other due to health complications after physical training, In the same year, six (6) cadet
officers in Negros Occidental were removed from the program after their victim in a hazing
incident filed a compiaint against them

These incidents and many more that have gone unreported must be enough proof that the
ROTC program does not need to be expanded; in fact, all the objectives that are being
targeted by the Mandatory ROTC program can be achieved by empowering and expanding the
CWTS and LTS programs.

Mandatory ROTC is an ineffective policy for developing nationalist consciousness and civic
participation among the youth. If we are to address lacking manpower for disaster response
and preparedness. national security, and “dwindling nationalism’ in our youth, we must beef up
our already existing institutions for education and disaster risk reduction and management
(DRRM) without actively promoting a culture of violence, suppressing critical thinking, and
disrespecting human rights.

What we need as a nation today is not an army of young men and women trained in the ways
of the military but an army of volunteers and advocates ready to serve and uphold the needs of
their communities and the nation as a whole. In the present state of affairs, the youth needs to
defend the nation first and foremost from threats like illiteracy, polarization due to fake news,
and the inequities that continue to obstruct genuine social progress in our nation

There is a need for educational institutions to fulfill their constitutional mandate to inculcate
patriotism and nationalism. foster love of humanity, respect for human rights, appreciation of
the role of national heroes in the historical development of the country, teach the rights and
duties of citizenship, strengthen ethical and spiritual values, develop moral character and


personal discipline. encourage critical and creative thinking broaden scientific and
technological knowledge, and promote vocational efficiency as stated in Article XIV Section
3(2) of the 1987 Constitution

In this light, Congress must mandate colleges and universities to have programs geared
towards raising the students’ socio-political consciousness and enabling them to actively
participate in the urgent task of understanding and addressing the basic ills of society. This bit!
also seeks to provide a wide array of programs under NSTP which enable students to render
services in a more varied manner and increase the potential of students of finding their lifetime
advocacy in the process. In providing more avenues for civic service, the government can truly
foster among the youth patriotism. nationalism and selfless service to others as enshrined in
the Constitution

Thus, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

/

REP.‘RAOUL DANNIEL A. MANUEL
Kabataan Party-list


Somransons

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Repubiic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS,
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1159
Introduced by KABATAAN PARTY-LIST Rep. Raoul Danniel A. Manuel

AN ACT
EXPANDING THE COVERAGE OF THE NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM BY
AMENDING RA 9163 OR THE NSTP ACT OF 2001

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 “Expanded NSTP Act
of 2022."

SECTION 2. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 9163 is hereby amended to read as
follows

"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 CIVILIAN program aimed at
enhancing civic AND SOCIAL consciousness and DISASTER AND defense
preparedness in the youth by developing the ethics of service and patriotism
while undergoing training in any of its program components. Its various
components are specially designed to enhance the youth's active contribution
to the general welfare

b) “Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC)" is a program institutionalized under
Section 38 and 39 of RA 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) “COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM" IS A CIVILIAN
PROGRAM DESIGNICD TO TRAIN STUDENTS IN BASIC SERVICES IN A
SPECIFIC COMMUNITY WHICH MAY INCLUDE PLANNED AND
SYSTEMATIC TREE PLANTING, STREET CLEANING, WASTE
SEGREGATION. TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT, AND OTHER RELATED
ACTIVITIES;


©Cornoarens

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d) “LITERACY TRAINING SERVICE" IS A CIVILIAN PROGRAM DESIGNED TO
TRAIN STUDENTS TO CONDUCT LITERACY TRAINING, LIVELIHOOD
TRAINING AND OTHER SIMILAR TRAINING WITH THE BASIC SECTORS,
ESPECIALLY THE URBAN POOR, WORKERS, FARMERS, INDIGENOUS
PEOPLE. FISHERFOLK, WOMEN AND CHILDREN;

e) “COMMUNITY-BASED HEALTH AND NUTRITION PROGRAM" IS A CIVILIAN
PROGRAM DESIGNED TO TRAIN STUDENTS IN HEALTH AND NUTRITION
EDUCATION IN SPECIFIC COMMUNITIES;

f) “COMMUNITY IMMERSION PROGRAM" IS A CIVILIAN PROGRAM
DESIGNED TO STRENGTHEN THE SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS OF
STUDENTS THROUGH EXPOSURE AND IMMERSION AMONG THE BASIC
SECTORS, SUCH AS THE RURAL AND URBAN POOR COMMUNITIES,
TRADE UNIONS, PEASANTS, FISHERFOLK, INDIGENOUS PEOPLE,
AMONG OTHERS:

g) “DISASTER PREPAREDNESS PROGRAM" IS A CIVILIAN PROGRAM
DESIGNED TO TRAIN STUDENTS IN DISASTER PREVENTION AND
PREPAREDNESS IN THE EVENT OF FLOODS, EARTHQUAKES, FIRE AND.
OTHER NATURAL AND MAN-MADE CALAMITIES, RESCUE AND RELIEF
OPERATIONS, MEDICAL AND HUMANITARIAN MISSIONS, AND OTHER
RELATED ACTIVITIES.

h) “ECOLOGICAL SERVICES PROGRAM" IS A CIVILIAN PROGRAM
DESIGNED TO TRAIN STUDENTS IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AND AWARENESS ACTIVITIES, AMONG OTHERS.

i) “HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY" IS A CIVILIAN PROGRAM
DESIGNED TO TRAIN STUDENTS IN THE PROMOTION AND PROTECTION
OF HUMAN RIGIITS. INCLUDING INDIVIDUAL AND COLLECTIVE CIVIL
POLITICAL. SOCIAL. ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL RIGHTS,
DOCUMENTATION. FACT-FINDING MISSIONS, AND OTHER RELATED
ACTIVITIES.”

SECTION 3. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 9163 is hereby amended to read as

follows

“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 ail baccalaureate degree courses and of at least two (2)-year
technical-vocational courses and is a requisite for graduation. THE NSTP SHALL
CONSIST [,consisting} of the following service components

1) The Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) which is hereby made optional
and voluntary upon the effectivity of this Act

2) THE COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM,
3) The Literacy Training Service

4) THE COMMUNITY-BASED HEALTH AND NUTRITION PROGRAM;


CONVO OR UNH

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5) THE COMMUNITY IMMERSION PROGRAM;

6) THE DISASTER PREPAREDNESS PROGRAM.

7) THE ECOLOGICAL SERVICES PROGRAM;

8) THE HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY PROGRAM; AND

9) OTHER SIMILAR PROGRAMS THAT THE SCHOOL, IN CONSULTATION
WITH ~~ STUDENT —COUNCILS/GOVERNMENTS AND = STUDENT
ORGANIZATIONS, AND WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE COMMISSION ON
HIGHER EDUCATION (CHED), MAY IMPLEMENT.

[The ROTC under the NSTP shall instill patriotism, moral virtues, respect for rights
of civillans, and adherence to the Constitution, among others,]

[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 ]

Citizenship AND SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS training shall be given emphasis in
ALL THE NSTP PROGRAM COMPONENTS.

THE SCHOOL, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE = STUDENT
COUNCILS/GOVERNMENTS, STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS, AND OTHER
CONCERNED GOVERNVENT AGENCIES, WITH THE APPROVAL OF CHED
AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
(TESDA), MAY DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT SUCH OTHER PROGRAM
COMPONENTS AS MAY BE NECESSARY IN CONSONANCE WITH THE
PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT.

SECTION 4. Section 7 of Republic Act No. 9163 is hereby amended to read as

follows:

“Section 7. NSTP Offering in Higher and Technical Educational Institutions. — Al
higher and technical-vocational institutions, public and private, must offer at least
[one] TWO of the program components ENUMERATED IN THIS ACT. [: 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 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.


CeVoneens

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Schoois that do not meet the required number of students to maintain [the optional
ROTC and any of the other] 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)

A STUDENT SHALL HAVE THE SOLE POWER TO CHOOSE THE PROGRAM
HE OR SHE SHALL TAKE. IN NO CASE SHALL THE SCHOOL RESTRICT THE
STUDENTS IN THEIR CHOICE OF PROGRAMS BY REASON OF LIMITATIONS
IN SLOTS

SECTION 5. Section 8 of Republic Act No. 9163 is hereby amended to read as
follows:

“Section 8 [Fees and incentives] NON-COLLECTION OF FEES — 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 }

GROUP INSURANCE FOR HEALTH AND ACCIDENT, ALONG WITH OTHER
NEEDS OF THE VARIOUS NSTP COMPONENTS, SHALL BE PROVIDED BY
THE SCHOOL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED WITHOUT INCURRING
ADDITIONAL CHARGES FOR STUDENTS.

SECTION 6. Section 11 of Republic Act No, 9163 is hereby amended to read as
follows:

"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] CHED, TESDA, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH AND OTHER CONCERNED AGENCIES

Graduates of the ROTC shall form part of the Citizens’ Armed Force, pursuant to
Republic Act No. 7077

SECTION 7. Implementing Rules —- The Commission on Higher Education shall
have the responsibility of revising the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic
Act No. 9163 in order to adapt to the amendments provided for by this Act. It shall consult
with other concerned government agencies, student councils/governments and
organizations non-government and other people’s organizations, and school
associations in drafting the revisions.


CaVoununs

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SECTION 8. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the implementation of
this Act shall be incorporated in the Annual General Appropriations Act

SECTION 9. Separability Clause. — If any section or provision of this Act shall be
declared unconstitutional, the remaining sections or provisions shall not be affected
thereby

SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive
orders, letters of instruction, rules and regulations which are inconsistent with any of the
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly

SECTION 11. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
the compietion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general
circulation and shali be implemented in schools in the semester immediately succeeding
the effectivity

Approved.