The National Service Training Program (NSTP) is a program aimed at enhancing civic 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. 


For UP students, the following rules about NSTP are observed:

  1. Each student is required to take (3) unit courses for 2 terms (6 units total).
  2. The following are the components of the program:
    • Military Training Services (MTS) 
    • Civic Welfare Training Services (CWTS)
    • Literacy Training Services (LTS)

Both (3) unit courses to be taken must be from the same component of the program.


Graduates of the CWTS and LTS are automatically enlisted into the National Service Reserve Corps. Members of this Corps may be tapped by the State for literacy and civic welfare activities through the joint effort of the DND, CHED and TESDA.  Graduates of the ROTC shall form part of the Citizens' Armed Force, pursuant to Republic Act No. 7077.


However, certain persons are exempted from the NSTP:

  1. If you are a Foreign national, then you are automatically exempted from NSTP.
  2. If you are an elected official in Local or National office. This includes members of the Sangguniang Kabataan, and, by extension, members of the Sangguniang Baranggay, Sangguniang Lungsod, Sangguniang Bayan, and Sangguniang Panlalawigan. It is assumed that you are actively in service of the community and are, thus, exempted from the NSTP.  "In lieu thereof, concerned Sangguniang Kabataan officials shall submit written reports, preferably with photographs, or other documentations of their participation in the implementation of programs, projects and activities as outlined in the Comprehensive Barangay Investment Program. Absence of such reports and documentations or a finding to the contrary upon verification of submitted reports, will disqualify the concerned Sangguniang Kabataan officials from this privilege. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Commission shall jointly promulgate the guidelines for the implementation of this provision; (SK Reform Act of 2015)
  3.  If you are a graduate of a Bachelors degree or Associate degree (provided that you had already taken NSTP courses in your previous academic program). Note: If this applies to you, you should apply for a transfer of credits (TOC) for these NSTP courses instead of requesting for exemption from the NSTP requirement. For further information on how to apply for TOC, you may refer to this link.


In order to be exempted from the NSTP requirement, write a letter of request addressed to the Dean of the Faculty of Education, stating the reason for your exemption, and attaching certification (and reports, if applicable) on one of the three conditions mentioned above.  Email your signed and scanned request letter to the FED mailer: fed@upou.edu.ph and FED Faculty Secretary Support Staff: fed-fsecsupport@upou.edu.ph (cc: aa-program-chair@upou.edu.ph).


For more information on this program, click on this link to look at the Republic Act that established this program and here for the Implementing Rules and Regulations.