Abstract:
Being a citizen of a country requires duties and responsibilities to serve and
protect his country and his people. In so doing, that one is also protecting his/her loved
ones and his/her self aside from contributing for their development and welfare.
The National Service Training Program and its precursor, the Reserve Officers
Training Corps, were mandated to train the youth into socially responsible individuals
aware of their capability and responsibility to help in nation building and national
security. Thus the NSTP, upon being signed into law in 2002, was implemented in the
university having three components-Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS), Literacy
Training Service (LTS), and the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC).
The NSTP was implemented in the university at a time when no one is prepared
for the changes the law entails. The change not only affected the ROTC and its
established programs but the university administration, the colleges, the faculty, and the
students. The NSTP was not implemented in UP Manila without problems. Problems
plaguing the program are also the same problems that affected its precursor, the ROTC -
logistics, personnel, and student motivation to participate in the activities. As of the
moment, the program seems to enjoy a positive influence on their students towards
service and volunteerism. However there are certain areas of the NSTP that should be
addressed and improved for it to better benefit the students and the community.
