HISTORY OF NSTP

The National Service Training Program (NSTP) aims to promote individualized education, transformational leadership, patriotism, nationalism, and sustainable social mobilization for youth development, community building, and national security. The program is comprised of three main components: ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Corps), CWTS (Civic Welfare Training Service), and LTS (Literacy Training Service).

ROTC provides military training to tertiary-level students. CWTS focuses on improving the quality of life for the local community through health, education, safety, and recreation. LTS is designed to teach literacy and numeracy skills to schoolchildren and other segments of society.

In 1935, President Quezon established the National Defense Act (Commonwealth Act Number One), requiring college students to undergo four semesters of military training. In 1969, President Ferdinand Marcos announced the National Service Law, which allowed students to choose between military service, civil welfare service, or law enforcement service.

In 1986, due to martial law, President Aquino issued Presidential Memorandum Order Number One, suspending the civil welfare and law enforcement services, leaving only military service. In 1995, President Fidel V. Ramos extended the ROTC program and categorized it into two curricula, making the second curriculum optional.

In 2001, former President Arroyo temporarily suspended the ROTC program due to issues within the community, including the death of Mark Wilson Chua. Subsequently, in 2002, the National Service Training Program (R.A. 9163) was signed into law by Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, establishing the current NSTP.