The National Service Training Program (NSTP) was implemented by the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman in accordance with the Republic Act (RA) 9163, an Act Establishing The National Service Training Program (NSTP) for Tertiary Level Students, enabling the government to create a program that will encourage the youth to actively participate in civic welfare and literacy initiatives as well as defend the country in times of war. It was, however, only in 2011 that UP Diliman paid attention to unifying the different NSTP initiatives of the various colleges and units, after the creation of the Office of the Director of NSTP (system level) and the appointment of an NSTP Coordinator for UP Diliman.
The NSTP Diliman was officially established by virtue of a decision made by the Board of Regents during its 1288th BOR Meeting on June 20, 2013. Its functions are to administer, manage, and coordinate all NSTP offerings and activities in UP Diliman in accordance with RA 9163 of 2001 and its duly approved implementing rules and regulations.
In 2016, following the reorganization of the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (OVCAA), the office was renamed as NSTP Diliman and became one of the eight offices under the supervision of the OVCAA. Executive Order No. PAEP 16-02, dated 26 April 2016 and Memorandum No. OVCAA-BMP 16-188, dated 30 June 2016 provide the following:
The main functions of the NSTP Diliman Office:
● “Tatak U.P. Diliman” NSTP: develop an NSTP that is unique to U.P. Diliman as a bastion of diverse knowledge, research, and creative work, and that promotes service to the nation and people while complying with R.A. 9163 and its IRR;
● Harmonized implementation: formulate structure and guidelines that recognize the extension work and public service of the various disciplines while aligning with the “Tatak U.P. Diliman” NSTP;
● Initiatives: develop and implement programs that encourage volunteerism among U.P. Diliman students, including those who have completed the NSTP courses; and
● Projects and activities: coordinate with and among academic units in the implementation, monitoring, and review of NSTP projects and activities.
Furthermore, the same Memorandum from the OVCAA states the programs and services of the NSTP Diliman Office, to wit:
● Coordinating with the different academic units in ensuring that supply of NSTP course offerings meets the demand;
● Development and implementation of programs that encourage volunteerism among UPD students including those who have completed the NSTP courses;
● Establishment of the NSRC in UPD;
● Coordinating with and among academic units in the implementation, monitoring, and review of their NSTP projects and activities;
● Processing of MOAs and MOUs between units offering NSTP and their partner organizations;
● Processing of NSTP-related budgetary requests;
● Processing of NSTP-related appointment papers;
● Conduct of NSTP faculty and facilitator orientation programs; and
● Processing of NSTP-related student appeals.
In addition, the Office also serves as the secretariat of the UP System NSTP Council which consists of representatives from different constituent universities of UP.