CALAMBA CITY (PIA) — A ranking officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) emphasized the importance of civilian support in the registration of personnel for the National Service Reserve Corps (NSRC).
Brig. Gen. Ronald Jess Alcudia, commander of the 202nd Brigade of the Philippine Army, urged government agencies to support the formation of community-based NSRC units.
During a meeting with the Sectoral Committee, Alcudia cited a resolution of the Regional Peace and Order Council creating an interagency technical working group (TWG) for the registration of reservists in the region.
“This is something that has not been attempted in any region in the country, and CALABARZON will be the pilot test for the reservist registration. This is one way by which we can account for our reservists, and prepare for any contingency that may happen.”
Formalized under Republic Act 9163, also known as the National Service Training Program (NSTP) Law, the NSRC is composed of graduates of the non-Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) components. These individuals may be tapped by the State for literacy and civic welfare activities.
“Based on this law, whatever program you take. You will become a part of the reserve force, including those who took ROTC, the Citizen Armed Force administered by the AFP, the CWTS (Civic Welfare Training Service) and LTS (Literacy Training Service) are members of the National Service Reserve Corps.”
Its main functions include: assisting in disaster preparedness, mitigation, response, and rehabilitation; serve as auxiliary to disaster risk reduction and management response units; assist in promoting civic welfare activities and implementation of literacy programs, to respond in case of national emergency, assist in environmental protection and, perform other functions given by higher DRRM authorities.
“This is where our community-based NSRC units, the graduates of our CWTS and LTS may be asked to volunteer and serve their communities in times of need.”
Graduates of the CWTS and LTS programs make up approximately 85 percent of students graduating from state universities and colleges.
Alcudia added: “Unfortunately, 22 years into the implementation of the NSTP [law], we have not seen the NSRC wherever there are calamities and disasters. This is the thrust of the Office of Civil Defense.”
“Because of the absence of the NSRC, in many cases it is the graduates of the ROTC who provide the augmentation to local government units for disaster response.”
Citing Resolution No. 2025-003 of the CALABARZON Regional Peace and Order Council, Alcudia stated that Region 4A has been designated as the pilot area for the initiative, which will be spearheaded by city and municipal treasurers.
“There is a need right now to look back on the intent of the law, so we can look at how we can tap the graduates of the NSTP for disaster response missions. This is because of the current developments in the security environment, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines and our reserve force are more into military defense preparedness and training.”
The official noted: “We need to have a civilian reserve that our local government units can rely on during times of disaster and calamities.”
During the School Year 2021-2022, around 259,595 students graduated from the NSTP in the CALABARZON and MIMAROPA regions. (PB/PIA4A)
