INTRODUCTION

The National Service Training Program was also known as An Act Establishing the National Service Training Program (NSTP) for Tertiary Level Students, Amending for the Purpose Republic Act No. 7077 and Presidential Decree no. 1706, and for other Purposes or Republic Act No. 9163. It was signed into law in January 23, 2002 amidst the various calls of dissenting sectors for its abolition or reform.

It invoked the constitutional provision regarding the duty of the state to serve and protect its citizens, specifically Article II (Declaration of Principles and State Policies), Section 2, which states that The prime duty of the government is to serve and protect the people. The government may call upon the people to defend the state, and in fulfillment thereof, all citizens may be required under conditions provided by law, to render personal military or civil service (italics supplied). This is the same principle that created and sustained the Reserve Officers Training Corps.

The primary objective of the NSTP law is to promote the role of the youth in nation-building. As such, it aims to encourage the youth to become civic and/or military leaders and volunteers whom could be called upon by the nation in cases their services are needed.

The goal of the law and of the program is to harness the strength and capacity of the youth to contribute to nation-building.