CHAPTER 1: ROLE OF THE YOUTH IN NATION-BUILDING
Viva Tomasino!!!
Welcome to the University of Santo Tomas National Service Training Program (NSTP)
Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS) and Literacy Training Service (LTS) courses! I
sincerely hope that as you accomplish your chosen course and the modules, you will be
able to share your ideas, experiences and help build a community of socially
responsible students.
There is a lot in store for you this semester, and to kick things up, read through the
following lessons so you will find out why indeed, are you taking up this course.
Let’s now go to Lesson 1.
LESSON 1: GOOD CITIZENSHIP VALUES
At the end of this lesson, you are expected to:
1. sustain and promote different Filipino Values that help in nation building
2. practice good citizenship values at all times, in all places
If you are ready, let us learn and understand the true meaning of the values that has
shaped us and our nation to what we are now.
What is a good Filipino Citizen?
A good Filipino citizen is one who plays an active and intelligent role as a member of the
community. He is one who fulfills his duties and obligations to the government and
society. He possesses the traits of respectfulness, courtesy and consideration for
parents and elders and for others. He observes punctuality, promptness, and good
moral conduct.
How can you become a Good Citizen?
You can become a good citizen by living in accordance with the good citizenship values
derived from the Preamble of the 1987 Constitution:
“We the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid of Almighty God in order to build a
just humane society and establish a Government that shall embody our ideals and
aspirations, promote the common good, conserve and develop our patrimony, and
secure to ourselves and our posterity, the blessings of independence and democracy
under the rule of law and a regime of truth, justice, freedom, love, equality, and
peace, do ordain and promulgate this constitution.”
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The Filipino values presented in the Preamble have been simplified and categorized
into the following:
I.
Pagkamaka-Diyos
A. Faith in the Almighty God (imploring the aid of Almighty God)
B. Respect for Life
C. Order
D. Work
E. Concern for the Family and Future Generations
II.
Pagkamaka-Tao
A. Love
B. Freedom (independence and democracy)
C. Peace
D. Truth
E. Justice
III.
Pagkamaka-Bayan
A. Unity
B. Equality
C. Respect for Law and Government (rule of law)
D. Patriotism (conserve and develop our patrimony)
E. Common Good
IV.
Pagkamaka-Kalikasan.
Concern for the Environment
These values help shape and guide our Nation towards a better tomorrow. We have
seen these at work during the 1st People Power back in 1986. Through faith, prayer,
respect and unity, we achieved freedom from dictatorship.
Let us now explore the values that are inherently given to us and face the challenge of
living a life in accordance with it.
I. PAGKAMAKA-DIYOS
A. The Good Citizenship Value of Faith in the Almighty God
“Isa akong Katoliko at buong pusong tinatanggap ang kamatayan para sa Panginoon,
kung ako man ay may sanlibong buhay, lahat ng iyon ay iaalay ko sa Kanya.”
-San Lorenzo Ruiz
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This is the basic value of the good Filipino citizen. As a Christian, you are asked
to put God in the center of your lives and communicate with Him by means of prayers.
You should look at Him as your ultimate source, one with infinite powers, to help you in
your work, to enable you to meet your needs and to get you out of trouble and crisis.
With this experience, you become fully aware of the things you can accomplish when
you live a life of faith.
It is ironic, however, that in a country where citizens are innately “maka-diyos”,
many acts violating the laws of God are committed each day. How then can it be that
you ask for God’s help and guidance then go against His wishes?
Let us read this story by Bro. Andrew Maria, MMHC
Faith Alone
A devout widow who was known to be a living saint was crossing a bridge with
her child when an accident happened. Her son fell off the bridge and plunged into the
deep water below. At this, some men got ready to jump into the water to save the child.
However, the widow forbade them.
“Do not move,” she told the men, “my faith alone can save the child.”
After she had said this, the widow knelt on the bridge and prayed with great faith.
In a short while, the child drowned and died. The widow wept.
This story teaches us that Faith alone, without work, is useless.
You have to remember that as Thomasians and future leaders of this country,
you have to put your faith into action, live a life that that is based on good values; and
serve as an inspiration to others who struggle with their own faith in Almighty God.
B. The Good Citizenship Value of Respect for Life
Your life and humanity is a gift from God. You are created from His image and
likeness. This makes you a person of worth and dignity. In turn, you should uphold and
recognize others’ dignity as persons and grow to appreciate their worth by keeping an
open mind and charitable attitude so you may be able to appreciate others’ giftedness
and special roles.
Your body is God’s temple, it is sacred and by all means, you should be responsible
for it because any form of violence against it defies the sanctity of life. Natural human
rights protect you from anything that endangers your life and well being. You should
also be responsible for upholding the rights of others. You shall not be an advocate of
violence or any means that may harm the life and dignity of others.
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Life is precious. It is your duty to respect, protect, nurture and preserve the human
life from the moment of its conception.
Thoughts to ponder on:
 As a student, do I have habits and vices that may destroy my
body?
 Do I treat other people with respect and dignity?
C. The Good Citizenship Value of Order
The value of Order is doing “first things first.” It is simply doing the right thing at
the right time and the right place without hesitation.
Order entails the discipline of mind, emotion and action. We need these so that
we can live a peaceful, successful and productive life. Otherwise, it will trigger situations
of panic, unrest, confusion, havoc and anarchy.
You should understand that the value of Order is important in your quest to
improve yourselves as citizens. You should learn to strive hard in arranging your lives in
a certain way that will allow you to be more productive.
Thoughts to ponder on:
 What are the benefits of living an orderly life?
 What are my priorities in life?
D. The Good Citizenship Value of Work
“Give fish to a man and he will have food for a day, teach him how to fish and he shall
have food to eat throughout his lifetime”
-Confucius
Work is a gift and it has become part of your nature and destiny. God has given
you talents to use as investments in your work and in return you are expected to settle
for nothing less than excellent results.
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Hard work, quality work and honest work are what makes a citizen a good,
productive and self-reliant member of the society.
It is also important that you have the right values and attitude towards your work
and dealings. You should always remember that no matter how much work you do,
what counts in the end is not the volume of work but the amount of love you put into
your work. Learn to work with love, integrity, and honesty to achieve excellent results.
Thoughts to ponder on:
 Am I a committed student who gives my best in school and
in other endeavors?
 Do I use my God-given talents wisely?
E. The Good Citizenship Value of Concern for the Family and Future Generations
Respetuhin natin ang ating ina, ilaw siya ng tahanan
Bigyang galang ang ama, at ang payo ang susudan
At sa magkakapatid, kailangan ay magmahalan
Dapat lang ay pag usapan ang hindi nauuwaan
-- Francis Magalona
“Mga Kababayan ko”
This value emphasizes that your family is a gift from God and that utmost
attention must be focused on the family as sanctuary of life and a core unit of society.
You draw inspiration and strength from your Family and in return you are
expected to do your responsibilities as a member of the family to keep it intact and
strong against the forces that tend to destroy its values and sense of unity.
A family is worth more than any worldly gain. Be vigilant and possess the resolve
to always value your family as your most precious gift next to your life. Be strengthened
by love, understanding and mutual respect for all members of your family.
Thoughts to ponder on:
o
What pressing issues does my family face today?
o
Can I promise to value my family despite these issues?
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II. PAGKAMAKA-TAO
A. The Good Citizenship Value of LOVE
"Ang tenga kapag pinagdikit korteng puso...Extension ng puso ang tenga, kaya kapag
marunong kang makinig, marunong kang magmahal.."
-- Bob Ong
Love means so much to us simply because love is the answer to our many
questions during these trying times. It is by love that you care, respect, accept, forgive
and trust.
But why is it that our nation has never moved forward if we all have LOVE within
us?
Maybe not all of us ever learned how to live in love which holds us back to love
others. This is what the Almighty God wants you to learn: learn to love.
Love entails sacrifice, responsibility and service. It binds us together as a nation
and serves as the key to our national progress. Let love be in the beginning, the middle
and the end of our history as a nation.
Thoughts to ponder on:
 As a student, how will I show my love for my family, community
and country?
 Are there benefits from being a loving person?
B. The Good Citizenship Value of FREEDOM
“Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought”
-Pope John Paul II
You value Freedom by giving due recognition and respect to your individuality as
persons with human rights and duties. Freedom is never without the virtue of
responsibility.
Freedom is the power to act or not to act. God gave our lives, and with that
comes the freedom to choose what you want to make with it.
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The freedom our nation is enjoying now is the fruit of love, hardship and
sacrifices of our ancestors. EDSA I and II are examples of events in our history as a
nation that showed how we protected our freedom from tyrant leaders and anarchy.
You should practice freedom with a clear understanding of its limits, with a sense
of discipline and chastity which will lead you to love your fellowmen, understand their
plight, and do what is good and right while avoiding what is wrong and evil.
Thoughts to ponder on:
o As a student, in what ways can I demonstrate my commitment
in upholding freedom?
C. The Good Citizenship Value of PEACE
“Peace means serenity of mind, simplicity of heart and tranquility of soul”
- St. Augustine
You value Peace by doing well for others and for your country, living and working
together in harmony and avoiding violence as a way of settling disputes.
Peace begins with you. It is a God-given gift that must be nurtured by prayer.
This can be attained and sustained when you have strong faith in God, concern for
others, and loyalty to your country.
You should be a person of peace, a builder of harmony among your fellowmen.
You should strive hard to foster the value of peace in your personal endeavors, abhor
all means of violence and have order in your affairs.
Thoughts to ponder on:
o What can I do to promote peace and shun violence?
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D. The Good Citizenship Value of TRUTH
“Nothing conquers except the truth; the victory of truth is charity”
-St. Augustine
The value of truth is living and loving passionately with honesty and sincerity.
Truth is important in our society because it is a condition for freedom. It
necessitates transparency, honesty, integrity, sincerity, courage and humility. The truth
also demands sacrifices and efforts but it is a worthy cause that highlights your own
capacity as a person to do well and live with integrity.
You are a person of integrity; let truth strengthen your character by honesty and
responsibility. Honesty should be applied in all your roles in life because the truth will
set you free and it should always prevail. As the saying goes, there is no truth and no
good in lies”
Thoughts to ponder on:
 Am I a truthful person? Do I give importance to the value of
truth in my life?
E.The Good Citizenship Value of JUSTICE
You value Justice by means of promoting ethical practices that enhance the essence
of social justice. It also means the promotion of a healthy and humane working condition,
fair and legal labor practices, correct use of power, moving purposefully away from graft,
corruption and other evils.
Justice is significant in our lives because it guarantees a society that respects
human dignity, security, and one that gives everyone an opportunity to pursue posterity,
development and happiness.
Let me share with you a story that will simply show you that Justice is giving every
man his due.
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To Every Man His Due
Institute for Development Education
Center for Research and Communication
There was once a poor farmer who would come to town everyday in order to
supply a baker with homemade bibingka. In exchange for five pounds of bibingka, the
baker would give the farmer five pounds of bread for his family.
One day, the baker decided to weigh the bibingka. He discovered that the
bibingka was one pound short. This made the baker very angry, and he accused the
farmer of having cheated him.
But the farmer very calmly declared, “You see sir, I am poor and I have no
weights at home. So I take the five pounds of bread you give me and use it as a
standard. In this way, I am sure of giving you an equal amount of bibingka.”
From the story mentioned above, reflect on this question:
Am I mindful of the dignity and rights of others?
III. PAGKAMAKA-BAYAN
A. The Good Citizenship Value of UNITY
“If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand, and if a house is
divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand”
-Mark 3:24-25
When you say UNITY is a good citizenship value, you mean that all of us Filipino
citizens are expected to be one as a people.
It also means that YOU:
 want your country to be united always.
 are able to think of others as you would of yourselves.
 are willing to lend a helping hand to others.
 want and are willing to work for what is the best for your countrymen.
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Here is a story from Fr. Bel San Luis, SVD
“The Preying Lion”
Three bulls fed in a field together in the greatest peace and safety.
A lion had long watched them in the hope of making prey of them, but found little chance
so long as they kept together. He therefore began secretly to spread evil and slanderous reports
of one against another till he fomented jealousy and distrust among them.
Soon, they avoided each other and each took to feeding alone. This gave the lion the
opportunity it had been waiting for. He fell on them singly and made an easy prey of them all.
The story shows that we should be united in all aspects of life, for like the preying
lion, the devil divides and conquers.
You should put aside division, and agree to work as one – this is not easy to do, but
it is something you must do. It is a heroic task. But remember, YOU, are called to be a
HERO. This is a time for heroes.
B. The Good Citizenship Value of EQUALITY
“There will never be real equality so long as one feels inferior or superior to another”
-Mahatma Gandhi
This value means treating one another with utmost dignity and respect
regardless of religion, cultural orientation, sex, social status, race, etc.
All men are created equal and have every right to be treated fairly in the interest
of love and justice. As good citizens, you should therefore refrain from making irrational
judgments of people; act conscientiously and decisively to protect each person’s right to
equality. This is essential in establishing a community of happy, loving, caring and
peaceful people.
Thoughts to ponder on:
 How important is equality to me?
 Do I treat others with a sense of equality? Am I aware of the
issues that threaten the value of equality in my community?
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C. The Good Citizenship Value of RESPECT FOR LAW AND GOVERNMENT
The end of law is not to abolish or restrain, but to preserve and enlarge freedom. For in
all the states of created beings capable of law, where there is no law, there is no
freedom.
- John Locke
You should be a law-abiding citizen regardless of who sits at the helm of the
government.
Laws and government are meant to serve our own interests as citizens and not
of the interest of the few, especially those who are in positions of power and authority.
You should seek ways to know the law more so that you may be able to follow
them with more understanding. You should not allow your values to be compromised by
illegal acts and practices. Strive to take a critical stand in making a decision to follow
laws and appreciate the work of government.
You should perform your patriotic duty of maintaining a sense of respect for your
duly constituted right and authority to promote peace and order for the sake of your
country.
C. The Good Citizenship Value of PATRIOTISM
“ Aling pag-ibig pa ang hihigit kaya
Sa pagkadalisay at pagkadakila
Gaya ng pag-ibig sa tinubuang lupa?
Aling pag-ibig pa? Wala na nga, wala..”
-- Andres Bonifacio
Patriotism means that you should be a vigilant citizen, looking out for the welfare
of your country. It calls for you to be committed to serve the interest of the nation no
matter who heads the government
Everyone should have a sense of duty and responsibility to contribute to the
development of our country, protect our integrity, and uphold the rights and dignity of
our people.
Being proud of our personal and national identity and being responsible voters
are some of the concrete examples of how we nurture the value of patriotism.
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Thoughts to ponder on:
 As a student, what are some ways in which I can perform simple acts
of patriotism?
 Do I love my country enough to serve her in any way I can?
D. The Good Citizenship Value of COMMON GOOD
“Tumulong ka sa ikabubuti ng iyong kakapwaan at paunlarin mo ang iyong katarungang
pangmadla. Di ka nabubuhay ng para sa iyo lamang ni para sa iyong mga anak. Ikaw
ay bahagi ng lipunang pinagkakautangan mo ng mga tiyak na sagutin.”
-- Manuel L. Quezon
The term “common good” refers to “the sum total of goods and social conditions
which allow people, either as groups or as individuals, to reach their fulfillment more
fully and more easily.”
The common good consist of three essential elements:
 Respect for the person as such- his fundamental and inalienable human rights
 The social well-being and development of the group itself
 Peace for the stability and security of a just order.
The basic value of promotion of the “common good” clearly brings together other
basic values and illustrates how the basic values are related and reinforce each other,
e.g.: faith in Almighty God, unity, patriotism, work, love, peace and equality.
To promote “common good” is an obligation of every member of society. It is to
share what you have to the other members of society who need your help most so that
their human dignity will be upheld. In doing this, you should be sincere and willing to be
counted in the work of promoting the common good since the government needs all
citizens to join in this mission.
Now, are you ready to do your share in promoting the common good?
Thoughts to ponder on:
o Do I share my blessings to the less fortunate?
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IV. PAGKAMAKA-KALIKASAN
A.
The Good Citizenship Value of CONCERN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
“Kabataan, kalikasan para sa kinabukasan, iwasan ang pagkakamaling ating naranasan,
Oras nang magtubos, daigdig natin 'wag sayangin, 'wag hayaang maubos”
-- Francis Magalona
“Kabataan para sa kinabukasan”
This value means launching an efficient and sustainable “clean and green”
program nationwide.
God made us stewards of His creation. You are aware that your existence and
that of the generations after you are threatened by the destruction of the environment.
In this alarming situation, you should develop a sense of urgency in the way you treat
your environment: Respect the integrity of creation by means of using all environment
resources properly and prudently.
You should treat Mother Nature as your own mother and masterpiece, giving it
great care and appreciating its wonders and beauty. The acts could be as simple as
throwing that candy wrapper on the garbage can instead littering on the streets,
avoiding the use of plastics, etc.
Nature is God’s grace to you that’s why you should take care of it so that you will
have clean air to breathe, clean water to drink, clean ocean to launch adventures and
above all, a life that’s healthy and a future worthy to be shared with the next generation.
***
These are the values embedded in the Preamble of 1987 Philippine Constitution.
This lesson clearly explained the meaning of the values and responsibilities we have to
do to be good citizens of the Philippines.
Remember, these values are innately given to us by God. We should know how
to use it properly taking into consideration not only our welfare, but also that of others
for the betterment of our country.
You, as the future movers of our country and parents of the future, are called to
dedicate yourselves in the service of our Nation and motivate others by exemplifying the
values of a good Filipino citizen.
How do you respond? 
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The next lesson will provide you with a means to respond to that the challenge…
LESSON 2: The National Service Training Program: An Introduction
The previous lesson showed the values that we need to live by in order to become good
Filipino citizens. These serve as the bedrock for the National Service Training Program.
After this Lesson, I hope you will be able to:
1. analyze the nature and history of the National Service Training Program and its
components
2. carry out your role as a young citizen in service of our country through NSTP
3. appreciate the goals of the National Service Training Program in the Higher
Educational Institutions
I. “What’s in it for me?”
“NSTP what??”
“Why do I have to take up this course?”
“Do I really have to??”
I’m sure these questions have somehow crossed – if not totally – entered your
mind when you enrolled in this program, apart from choosing among ROTC, CWTS or
LTS.
You may have also asked: “what is the connection or relevance of NSTP to my
academic course?”
But you know what? In the grand scheme of things, your answer — and your
choice may probably, change your life.
The reality is that the National Service Training Program is a required course
mandated by law. However, if you look at it closely, it’s not just a requirement, it’s not
just another subject --- it is a preparation and opportunity to improve yourself to be
of service to others. It gives you the chance to be socially involved and have deeper
awareness of yourself in relation to others. NSTP endows you with theoretical and
practical knowledge and experiences that are needed for community service.
It opens a window for you to see the current situation of your community. At the
same time, it trains you to respond to the present challenges, enhancing your instinct for
national service.
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You see, the contributions of young people like you, the future leaders of our
country, have been recognized by many. Jose Rizal, our National Hero said:
“The youth is the hope of the motherland.”
Are you familiar with the song Kabataan para sa Kinabukasan by Francis
Magalona? It beautifully depicts how promising the Filipino youth can be.
“…gamitin ang talino,
maging tunay na bayani, makabagong Pilipino
Sulong kabataan, ipakita ang lakas,
tunay at wagas na pag-asa ng bukas
Nasa palad mo ang kapalaran”
Your role, therefore, in shaping the future of our nation is truly significant.
Remember Section 13, Article II of the 1987 constitution?
“The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nationbuilding 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 public and civic affairs.”
See? It’s right there in our constitution—YOU are a valuable constituent of our
country. With all your potential, idealism and energy, YOU are capable of doing a lot of
things for the good of others—to be of service to OUR nation.
YOU can serve in a lot of ways. This is the concept that shaped the National
Service Training Program.
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II. Footsteps: Service to the Country
The following timeline would give you a glimpse on the evolution of the youth’s
contribution to national service.
In the late 90’s, controversies plagued the program of the Reserve Officers
Training Corps. Issues on irrelevance, corruption, incompetent instructors, bribery and
other factors led to the clamor for the abolition of the program. These were further
heightened in March 2001 by the death of Mark Welson Chua, a UST ROTC cadet who
exposed the irregularities in the program.
Known to his friends as Baron, the 19 year old Mark Welson Chua, together with
other cadets observed and experienced some anomalous practices at the Department
of Military Science Training (DMST) of the University of Santo Tomas which moved
them to submit a complaint to the University’s administrative officials and the
Department of National Defense. Their exposé was even published in The Varsitarian
(Struggle against the System by Jayme Brucal; Feb. 21, 2001 issue). Investigation soon
followed. This led to the dismissal of key officials in the UST ROTC Unit.
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But on the night of March 15, Mark was reported missing. Days after, his body,
wrapped in a carpet bound by strips of cloth and packaging tape, was fished out of the
Pasig River under the Jones Bridge. Investigation was immediately conducted by the
PNP, NBI and the Philippine Army. To date, justice for Mark has not been completely
served for only two of the four suspects are in the custody of the law. The other two are
still at large.
The UST cadets’ action to divulge the persistent issues on corruption within the
ranks of ROTC was a catalyst for a much improved service program. It led to the
passage of the National Service Training Program Law or the Republic Act 9163.
Did you know?
On the 13th of June 2004 during the opening mass of the University, Mark
Welson “Baron” Chua was given a posthumous award, the San Lorenzo Ruiz medal of
courage, a medal conferred to students who have shown exceptional and exemplary
courage in standing up for the truth and Thomasian ideals.
III. What is NSTP?
The National Service Training Program, established by virtue of the Republic Act
9163, is a compulsory 1-year course for all freshmen in the universities and colleges in
the country.
Article 1, Section 3 of the RA 9163 states:
“It is a program that aims at enhancing consciousness and
defense preparedness in the youth by developing the ethics of
service and patriotism while undergoing training in any of its
three (3) program components. Its various components are
specially designed to enhance the youth’s active contribution to
the general welfare.”
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Here are the three program components:
All Filipino students are mandated to take NSTP. That is why you and the rest of
your classmates are taking it. Well, why not? After all, everyone is a citizen of this
country and everyone should serve the country.
Here at UST, ROTC is offered to First Year students while the CWTS and LTS
courses are only offered to students in their Second Year and above. The
administration opted to offer all three components to provide you with more choices, so
you can select based on your interests.
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All NSTP courses used to be under the supervision of the Office for Student
Affairs (OSA). However, given the nature of CWTS and LTS, it was later transferred to
the Office for Community Development (OCD) in 2008. This office (OCD) is now known
as the UST Simbahayan Community Development Office. ROTC however, remained to
be under the OSA.
Now that you are more knowledgeable on the history and nature of the NSTP,
this provides several possibilities for you as a student. Considering that the population
of the country is composed of relatively young citizens, your choice can be a meaningful
experience in the process of nation-building.
And you know what? After you finish either CWTS or LTS, you will become
members of the National Service Reserve Corps. You can be tapped by the State for
literacy and civic welfare activities, especially in times of calamities or disasters.
On the other hand, those who take up ROTC will be a part of the Citizen Armed
Force, a Reserve Force to be utilized in times of war, rebellion or invasion. They also
provide assistance in relief and rescue during disaster or calamities.
Interesting, right?
By now, you must have realized that the heart of NSTP is service-- service to
your fellowmen. Would you agree with me if I say that service to others should actually
be done with or without legislation? That it should naturally reign in the heart of
everyone? However, before you can claim to have helped other people improve the
quality of their lives, as the program aims to do, you must begin with yourself as a
student, as a son/daughter, as a citizen. As the Filipino Diplomat and Pulitzer Prize
winner Carlos P. Romulo stated in his book, I walked with Heroes:
“The reinvigoration of the national spirit must take place in the grass roots, in
every city, town and barrio in the Philippines, and it must start among our own
people... To be a worthy citizen of the world one must first prove himself to be a
good Filipino."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------REFERENCES
Gasilla-dela Cruz, Sonia et.al. National Development Via NSTP. Quezon City: Lorimar Publishing Co. Inc.,
2005.
Floresta, Ma. Lourdes et. Al. National Service Training Program Literacy Training Service. Quezon City:
C&E Publishing Inc., 2005
Modules on 16 Good Citizenship Values. EDSA People Power Commission and Commission on Higher
Education, 2010
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