QuestionsQuestions (CHED IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM , APRIL 10, 2002)
The IRR is issued pursuant to Section 12 of Republic Act No. 9163 (National Service Training Program Act of 2001).
The NSTP aims to enhance civil consciousness and defense preparedness by developing ethics of service and patriotism while the youth train under one of the three components, contributing actively to the general welfare.
All incoming freshmen students, male and female, enrolled in any baccalaureate and in at least two (2) year technical-vocational or associate courses, starting SY 2002-2003.
Students must complete one (1) NSTP component of their choice to graduate.
The components are (1) ROTC, (2) Literacy Training Service (LTS), and (3) Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS). ROTC is the military-related component.
All higher and technical-vocational education institutions must offer at least one (1) NSTP component. SUCs shall offer the ROTC component and at least one (1) other NSTP component.
The Philippine Military Academy (PMA), Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA), Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA), and other SUCs of similar nature are exempted due to their special character.
Private institutions with at least 350 student cadets may offer ROTC and establish/maintain a DMST, subject to existing AFP rules and regulations.
Each component is undertaken for two (2) semesters (54 to 90 training hours per semester), credited as three (3) per semester.
A one (1) summer program may be designed and adopted by DND, CHED, and TESDA subject to school capability and AFP’s ability to handle it.
Clustering is grouping students from different schools into one NSTP group under a designated school’s management. Cross-enrollment is when a student enrolled in an academic program of one school is allowed to enroll in an NSTP component of another school.
When their school does not meet the required number of students to maintain an optional component or does not offer the component chosen by the students, they must be allowed to cross-enroll to other schools.
School authorities provide academic and administrative supervision. For ROTC, there is joint supervision by school authorities and the DND, subject to DND policies and regulations for the military component.
No fees are collected for any NSTP component except basic tuition fees, which must not be more than 50% of the school’s charges per academic unit.
Health and accident group insurances must be provided by school authorities, CHED, and TESDA. Schools already providing such insurance and collecting the needed fees as of effectivity are deemed compliant.
Graduates of the non-ROTC components belong to the National Service Reserve Corps (NSRC), which may be tapped by the State for literacy and civic welfare activities.
ROT C graduates form part of the Citizens Armed Force pursuant to RA 7077, subject to DND requirements.
ROTC completion as a graduation requisite is set aside for students who completed all academic requirements certified by their school on or before the NSTP Act effectivity date (March 23, 2002).
They are deemed to have complied with the NSTP requirement.
The separability clause provides that other provisions not affected remain in full force and effect.