Law Summary
Role of Youth
- The State promotes civic consciousness and holistic development of youth (physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, social).
- Ideals of patriotism and nationalism are to be inculcated.
- Youth are to be motivated, organized, trained, and involved in military, literacy, and civic welfare programs.
Definitions of Key Terms
- NSTP: A program to enhance civil consciousness and defense preparedness through three components: ROTC, LTS, CWTS.
- ROTC: Military training component for tertiary students to prepare for national defense.
- LTS: Trains students to teach literacy and numeracy to needy populations.
- CWTS: Activities for community welfare improvement including health, education, environment, and other social services.
- Program Component, Clustering, Cross-Enrollment, and NGOs are clearly defined.
Program Implementation - Coverage
- Mandatory for all incoming freshmen in baccalaureate and certain technical-vocational courses starting SY 2002-2003.
- Schools must offer at least one NSTP component.
- SUCs offer ROTC plus at least one other component.
- PMA, PMMA, PNPA, and similar institutions exempted.
- Private schools with 350+ cadets may offer ROTC and maintain DMST subject to AFP rules.
Program Components
- Three core components: ROTC, LTS, CWTS.
- All components emphasize citizenship, patriotism, moral values, civil rights, and constitutional adherence.
- CHED, TESDA, DND can introduce additional non-military components.
- Minimum standards for components to be issued within 30 days of IRR approval.
Duration and Credit Units
- Each component takes two semesters.
- Each semester credits three units covering 54 to 90 training hours.
- A one-summer program may be adopted as an alternative with approval.
Clustering and Cross-Enrollment
- Students from different institutions can be grouped (clustered) for NSTP training.
- Cross-enrollment permitted when schools cannot offer a component or maintain enrollment thresholds.
- Cross-enrollment subjects students to both schools’ rules.
Management and Monitoring
- Schools supervise design, formulation, and implementation of NSTP.
- ROTC is jointly supervised by schools and DND per military policies.
- NGOs accredited by CHED/TESDA may administer training modules under school and government supervision.
- CHED regional offices, TESDA provincial/district offices, and DND monitor implementation and report to central offices.
Fees and Incentives
- No fees for NSTP components except tuition fees capped at 50% of regular academic unit charges.
- ROTC students may receive assistance/incentives from DND as per laws and fund availability.
- Health and accident insurance coverage mandated for all NSTP enrollees.
- Special Scholarships for NSTP students administered by CHED and TESDA.
Organization of NSTP Graduates
- Non-ROTC NSTP graduates join the National Service Reserve Corps (NSRC) and may be mobilized for literacy and civic welfare activities.
- CHED, TESDA, and DND will issue guidelines for NSRC organization and use.
- ROTC graduates form part of the Citizens Armed Force under RA 7077 and DND requirements.
Transitory Provisions
- ROTC graduation requirement suspended for students who completed academic requirements before March 23, 2002.
- Male students currently enrolled but not yet in an NSTP component fall under NSTP law.
- Completion of two semesters of Expanded ROTC/NSP is deemed compliance.
- One-semester ROTC completers must take another semester of NSTP to graduate.
- Special programs for enlistment or advanced ROTC attendance are available.
Miscellaneous Provisions
- CHED, TESDA, and DND must disseminate information about the Act and IRR.
- Amendatory clause modifies various inconsistent laws and allows joint amendment of Rules.
- Separability clause preserves validity of unaffected provisions if any part is invalidated.
- IRR takes effect immediately upon issuance (April 10, 2002).