Amid the national exigencies plaguing the country — from disaster risk management issues, peace talk qualms, to environmental woes — the National Service Training Program (NSTP) – UP Diliman Office found a way to address these concerns by responding with an educational webinar series. From September to October 2022, the “BAYANIHAN: Common Module Webinar Series,” a three-part webinar series by the NSTP Diliman Office, featured reputable figures, and also highlighted women in STEM, in the discussion regarding national security issues, disaster risk reduction, and environmental protection in the Philippines. “Katatagan” “Katatagan: National Security,” marked the first leg of the webinar series. The webinar gave an overview of the country’s current security environment, from the national (e.g., West Philippine sea issue) to the global scale (e.g., Ukraine-Russia crisis). Prof. Robert Joseph P. Medillo, Associate Professor II and Acting Chief of Academic Affairs Division of the National Defense College of the Philippines, oriented the webinar attendees with the basics of national security and the pressing issues that the country is facing. In discussing a part of his talk regarding the country’s territorial claims and maritime domain issues, Medillo exclaimed: “The Philippines must ensure good order within its sea boundaries and develop appropriate maritime domain awareness and response force capability.” Meanwhile, Col. Ronald Jess Alcudia, Executive Officer of the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Reservist and Retirees Affairs, J9 of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), focused on discussing the internal security situation in the Philippines. To supplement the presented ideas, Assistant Professor Dennis F. Quilala, the Director of the NSTP Diliman Office, tied the conception of the office’s learning materials with the concern regarding national security. His talk, entitled, “NSTP, Human Security, and National Security,” tackled the development of the NSTP Diliman Common Module, in consideration of various security agendas and issues. “Kahandaan” Just weeks before a 6.4 magnitude earthquake rocked the Philippines in late October, “Kahandaan: Disaster Risk Reduction and Management” sequelled the BAYANIHAN webinar series. Last October 10, an all-women panel spearheaded the discussion regarding volcanic and seismic hazards, disaster risk management, and the empowerment of […]
Monthly Archives: December 2022
The “Tatak UP Diliman NSTP” reflects the University’s identity as a public service university, upholding honor and excellence in the service of the nation. The NSTP Diliman Office has been constantly revitalizing the sense of national service/civic consciousness to our students. This is significant amidst the continuous shift in adjusting to the new normal during the pandemic. Hence, the Office has organized an online roundtable discussion focusing on the foundational concepts of service learning, social entrepreneurship, civic education, civic engagement, and national service in the context of National Service Training Program (NSTP) for the UP Diliman NSTP implementers. The three-hour online roundtable session entitled, “LAWIG: An NSTP Roundtable Discussion,” was conducted via Zoom on September 23, 2022. Forty-two (42) NSTP coordinators, faculty, and implementers from nineteen (19) different units participated in the discussion. National Service Asst. Prof. Dennis Quilala, NSTP Diliman Office Director, opened the session with the agenda setting with the question “Bakit Lawig?” Dir. Quilala proceeded on differentiating the concept of “volunteerism” as a module in NSTP, and the services that may be required by the state (personal, military, or civil) as graduates of NSTP. As mandated by the NSTP Law (RA 9163) and the NSTP Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), the state may tap the NSTP graduates as reservists – both the National Service Reserve Corps (from LTS and CWTS graduates) and the Citizen Armed Forces (from ROTC graduates). He then discussed the concept of national service in relation to NSTP. Through the available literature, he defined it as “a long-term commitment for our NSTP students.” The following were also highlighted in his discussion: training for national service is required and mandated by the law; after the NSTP, service may be mandatory and not voluntary; and it involves incentives. Volunteerism is important, but NSTP is more than volunteerism. He then urged the participants to frame the implementation of the NSTP in the context of national service and not just limit it to volunteerism. Service Learning Dr. Danielle “Dani” Ochoa, from the Department of Psychology, UP Diliman, discussed the concept of service […]