Legal Basis of

NSTP
 Republic Act 9163

It is an act establishing the National Service

Training Program (NSTP) for tertiary level students,
amending for the purpose of Republic Act No. 7077,
Presidential Decree 1706, and for other purposes.
 Specific Provisions of the
Fundamental Law Pertinent to
RA 9163
1. Sec.2 R. A. 9163 hereby affirms the prime
duty of the government to serve and protect its
citizens. It shall be the responsibility of all
citizens to defend the security of the state and
in the fulfillment thereof, the government may
require each citizen to render personal, military,
or civil services.
 Specific Provisions of the
Fundamental Law Pertinent to
RA 9163
2. The National Service Training Program (NSTP) forms part of the
curricula of all baccalaureate degree courses and at least two (2)
year technical-vocational courses. The course shall be a requisite
for graduation, consisting of the following service components:
Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (ROTC) which is hereby made
optional and voluntary upon the effectivity of this Act.
Literary Training Services
Civic Welfare Training Service
 Specific Provisions of the
Fundamental Law Pertinent to
RA 9163
3. Sec. 15 (4) of Batas Pambansa Bilang 323 likewise
provides that it is the duty and responsibility of
students to participate actively in civic affairs and be
involved in the promotion of the general welfare of the
people particularly in the social, economic, and cultural
development of the community and in the attainment
of a just, compassionate, and orderly society.
 Implementing Rules and
Regulations of RA 9163
Pursuant to Section 12 Republic Act No. 9163 otherwise known as the
National Service Training Program (NSTP) Act of 2001, the Commission
of 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 Assocation of the Philippines
(COCOPEA), non-government organizations, hereby jointly issue, adopt,
and promulgate the following implementing rules and regulations to
implement the provisions of this Act.
 Implementing Rules and
Regulations of RA 9163
A. Sec 1, Rule I, IRR to RA 9163 (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.

B. Sec 2, Rule I, IRR to RA 9163 (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.
 Implementing Rules and
Regulations of RA 9163
C. Sec 4, Rule III, IRR to RA 9163 (Coverage)
1. 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.
2. All higher and technical-vocational education institutions must offer at least one (1) of the NSTP
components.
a. State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) shall offer the ROTC component and at least one (1)
other NSTP component.
b. 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.
c. Private higher and technical-vocational education institutions with at least 350 student cadets,
may offer the ROTC component and consequently establish/maintain a Department of Military
Science and Tactics (DMST),subject to the existing rules and regulations of the Armed Forces of
 Implementing Rules and
Regulations of RA 9163

D. Sec 6, Rule III, IRR to RA 9163 (Duration/Equivalent Course Unit)

1. Each of the aforementioned NSTP components shall be undertaken for
an academic period of two (2) semesters. It shall be credited for three (3)
units per semester, for fifty-four (54) to ninety (90) training hours per
semester.
2. A One (1) Summer Program (OSP) 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.
 Implementing Rules and
Regulations of RA 9163

E. Sec 11, Rule V, IRR to RA 9163 (Organization of NSTP Graduates)

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Graduates of the ROTC program shall form part of the Citizen Armed Force pursuant
to RA 7077, subject to the requirements of DND.
 Implementing Rules and
Regulations of RA 9163

F. Sec 13, Rule VI, IRR to RA 9163 (Transitory Provisions)

1. Male students who are currently enrolled but have not taken any of the Military
Service (MS), Civil Welfare Service (CWS), or Law Enforcement Service (LES)
programs shall be covered by NSTP.
2. Male students who have completed two (2) semesters of the Expanded ROTC (E-
ROTC) are deemed to have complied with the NSTP law.
3. Students who are not covered by Section 13 of this rule and have taken only one (1)
semester or Basic ROTC or E-ROTC/NSP, shall be taken one more semester of any
NSTP components to qualify for graduation purposes.
4. Students who want to qualify for enlistment in the Reserve Force or attend the
Advance ROTC program shall undertake a special program for this purpose.