ROLE OF A
CITIZEN IN
DEFENSE OF STATE
Role of a Citizen in Defense of State
The defense of the state is its citizens primary role. The
strategy of preparing our youth to play a more active
role in nation building and in the defense of the
country as indicated by the principle stated in this
document. A citizen’s duty in the defense of the state
is defined in the Philippine Constitution and in the
National Defense Act (Commonwealth Act No.1)
which instituted the Preparatory Military Training
(PMT) or Citizens Army Training (CAT) as it is now
called.
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES AND STATE POLICIES, AS
STATED IN ARTICLE II OF THE CONSTITUTION
Section 3 – Civilian authority is, at all times, supreme to the military.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines is the protector of the
people and the State. Its goal is to secure the sovereignty of the
State and the integrity of the national territory.
Section 4 – 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 the fulfilment thereof, all citizens maybe
required, under conditions provided by the law, to render military
or civil services
Section 5 – The Maintenance of peace and order, the protection of
life, liberty, and property, and the promotion of general welfare is
essential for the enjoyment of all the people of blessing of
democracy
Section 13 – The state recognizes the vital role of the youth in the
nation-building and shall Promote and protect their physical,
moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well being. It shall
inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism and encourage
their involvement in the public and civic affairs
ARTICLE XVI OF OUR CONSTITUTION FURTHER
NOTICE
Section 4 – The Armed Forces of the Philippines shall be composed
of a citizen armed forces which military and serve, as may be
provided by law. It shall keep a regular force for the security of
the state.
Citizenship and military training of the youth form part of the
National Defense System. The National Defense Act
(Commonwealth Act No. 1) was passed and signed by Manuel
Luis Quezon on 21 December 1935, and Youth Development was
implemented through, Preparatory Military Training (PMT) from
the time a grade school child was ten (10) years old and on
through. Among the objectives of this program was to produce a
Junior Reserve.
Since 1935 changes have been made to suit times until AFP Home
Defense Program became reality. This program carried the
following provisions on Reserve Production in Educational
Institution.
Reserve Production in Educational Insitution
AFP units and organizations will continue to conduct activities which
pertain to Reserve Production on Educational Institutions as presented
by the ROTC/WATC in colleges, and universities and Citizens Army
Training (CAT)/PMT/ WAS in secondary school. In accordance the
requirement of law and as requires for graduation from academic forces
male students are required to undergo ROTC while both male and
female students are required to undergo CAT (PMT/WAS). Until the
implementation of CAT II. The WATC shall remain for females in colleges
and universities withi WATC units established with them
Citizens Army Training 1 (CAT-1) – this pertains to male and female
students in the Fourth year Of secondary school courses who will
undergo military trainings in with the approved Program of
Instructions (POI). CAT I replaces PMT/WAS in secondary school.
Though they will not necessarily from the part of AFP Reserve
Component and will be part of the Junior Reserve. Female
students may not take WATC when considered for assembly or
mobilization or call duty unless otherwise directed
The AFP Home Defense Strategic Program provides the guidelines in
conduction Citizen Training I in secondary schools as component
of Manpower and Reserve Affairs Administration and Reserve
Force Development.
The government’s Youth Development Strategy prepares the youth
for their citizenship and roles of national defense. As emphasized
in the AFP Home Defense Proram. The Youth Development and
Citizen Army Training (YD/CAT) are part of the youth development
program and the Manpower Development Activities which serve
the national interest in the political, economic, psychosocial, and
military dimensions.
The Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS)
Department of National Defense (DND), and the Armed Forces of
the Philippines (AFP) consider the CAT I program important to
secondary education due to its contributions in the development
of graduates who are physically and morally upright, patriotic self
reliant and law abiding.
The CAT Program, as suggested by recent events in the country was
revised to confirm with certain areas affecting national security
and development.
Citizen Army Training I is provided by law in the virtue of the
following authority:
A. Statutory
1. Philippine Home Defense Program
2. NAFP Home Defense (Strategic) Program
3. Presidential Decree Nr 183 and 1706
B. Department
1. DND – AFP
a. Philippine Home Defense Program
b. NAFP Home Defense (Strategic) Program
c. Letter, GHQ, AFP dated 24 May 1973, Subject Revision of PMT
Program in Secondary School
d. AFP Regulation G 314-033, GHQ, AFP dated 23 September
1075, Citizen Army Training – Organization, Administration
e. Youth Development & Citizen Army Training in Secondary
Schools (An Appraisal) OUSHD, MND
2. DECS
a. MECS Order Nr 15, s 73 – Revised Physical Education and
Health, Preparatory Military Training and Scouting Program in
Secondary Schools
b. MECS Order Nr 20.s 73 – Revised Secondary Education Program
1973
c. MECS Order 23, s 73 – Clarification on the Revised PE and
Health, Music, PMT and Scouting Program.
d. MECS Order Nr 29, s 73 – The rating, System for YDT and CAT I
e. MECS Order Nr 63, s 77 – Exemption from CAT I, NAD Physical
Education Requirements
g. MECS Order Nr 14, s 88 – Clarification on the Implementation
of CAT I in Secondary Schools
h. DECS Bulletin Nr 1, s 92 – Program of Instruction for Citizens
Army Training
As a subject CAT I requires the involvement of all able bodied male and
female student as require for the completion of secondary education.
The CAT is a compulsory preparatory military training for all able-bodied
fourth year high school students in the country. The Department of
Education, Culture, and sports has the responsibility of implementing it
while the Armed Forces of the Philippines provide the technical
supervision of the program.
CAT-I is divided into 35 training weeks with 2 sessions (hours) per training
week. As a regular module, male students have a total of 70 periods,
with 14 subjects to take up within the year. For female students,
introduction of AFP Weapons and Drills and Ceremonies are option.
Module B for the females is similar except for the coverage of Advanced
courses on Civil Defense/ Civil Relations, Disaster Control, Law
Enforcement and the fire Concept of Preparedness Aspect of Disaster
Management.