The Act affirmed that the prime duty of the government was to serve and protect its citizens. In turn, it shall be the responsibility of all the citizens to defend the security of the State and because of this, the government may require each citizen to render personal, military or civil service.

     Recognizing the youth's vital role in national building, the State shall promote civic consciousness among the youth and shall develop their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual and social well being. It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism, nationalism and advance their involvement in public and civic affairs.

     In pursuit of these goals, the youth, the most valuable resources of the nation, shall be motivated, trained, organized and mobilized in military training, literacy, civic welfare and other similar endeavors in the service of the nation.

Three Components of the NSTP

     RESERVE OFFICERS' TRAINING CORPS (ROTC) - is a program institutionalized under Sections 38 and 39 of Republic Act No. 7077 designed to provide military training to tertiary level students in order to motivate, train, organize and mobilize them for national defense preparedness.

     CIVIC WELFARE TRAINING SERVICE - refers to programs or activities contributory to the general welfare and betterment of the community or the enhancement of its facilities especially those devoted to improving health, education, environment, entrepreneurship, safety, recreation and morals of the citizenry.

     LITERACY TRAINING SERVICE (LTS) - is a program designed to train students become teachers of literacy and numeracy skills to school children, out of school youth and other segments of society in need if other services.

Establishment, Coverage and Duration

     The NSTP form part of the curricula of all baccalaureate degree courses and of at least two (2) year technical and vocational courses and is a requisite for graduation. Male and female students are covered of any public and private educational. They are required to complete one of the NSTP components and should be undertaken for an academic period of two semesters. In lieu of the two (2) semesters for any of the components of the NSTP, a one (1) summer program may be designed, formulated and adopted by the DND, CHED and TESDA.

    The ROTC under NSTP shall instill patriotism, moral virtues, respect for rights of the civilians, and adherence to the Constitutions, among others. Citizen Training shall be given emphasis in all program components.

Citizen Soldier

     The citizen soldiers, alternately referred to as reservists, who compose the reserve force are those reservists of the AFP who are incorporated into the Reserve Force.

     Graduates of the ROTC basic and advanced courses and who were issued orders as enlisted reservist or reserve officers of the AFP. The graduates will be organized into five components:

1. The Army Reserve Component
2. The Air Force Reserve Component
3. The Navy Reserve Component
4. The AFP-wide Technical Reserve Component
5. The Affiliated Reserves

     The mission of the Citizen Armed Force, alternately referred to as the Reserve
Force, is to provide the base for the expansion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the event of war, invasion or rebellion, to assist in socioeconomic development, and to assist in the operation and maintenance of essential government or private utilities in the furtherance of overall mission.

     Indeed, the NSTP has its legal basis for implementation under the Philippine Constitution. It was made from the amendment of the Commonwealth Act No. 1 and the Republic Act 7077.

Commonwealth Act No.1

     "The defense of the state is a primary duty of the government, and in the fulfillment of this duty, a citizens may be required by law to render personal military service."

Republic Act 7077

     "An act providing for the development, administration, organization, training, maintenance and utilization of the citizen armed force of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other purposes.