What is NSTP? National Service and Training Program is a program which aims to enhance civic consciousness and defense preparedness, especially the youth, which was instituted by the Government of the Philippines on January 5, 2000 by the virtue of Republic Act 9163 or also known as “National Service Training Program Act of 2001.” Most of the universities and institutions in the Philippines offer this as a requirement to all college students as part of their subject during their 4 years or more of stay in their perspective universities and colleges.
Currently, I am taking up NSTP0101 which I find similar to the CESC or Community Engagement, Solidarity, and Citizenship subject that we have during senior high school. I remember going to a barangay in Tondo to conduct a research and create a program for the people living in that area. However, due to COVID-19, we are not able to conduct the actual program in the barangay. Same as with NSTP, I heard from my other friends in college that they do community service and programs in their chosen barangays or beneficiaries but due to pandemic, and we are currently conducting our classes online, we are not able to experience those activities. Instead, we are asked to read the modules posted in our canvas accounts and submit a reflection paper for each. I actually have my top 3 favorite topics from the modules we have. First is the “Exercising your civic responsibility to vote: choosing the right leaders.”, second is “Being young and making an impact”, and lastly is “The Big P’s: Practical Knowledge, Planning and Practice” which made a huge impact for myself and made me realize a lot of things that I need to do as a citizen and for the betterment of the community.
“Exercising your civic responsibility to vote: Choosing the right leaders.”
In this module, it made me realize how important is for someone to exercise his/her right to vote. Last August 2018, I have decided to register myself so I can now participate with the National Election that was held in May 2019. Although I am still 17 years old at the time, I was able to successfully register since I will be turning 18 years old before the 2019 election was held. As far as I remember, I brought my PSA Birth Certificate and school ID for my requirements. I thought the process would be hard and hassle, but it only took me around 10-15 mins to finish it. After filling up the form, they took a photo of me as well as my biometrics and after that, it’s done. They gave me this short slip which serves as my “acknowledgement receipt.”
Please don’t let the Pandemic hinder us from exercising our rights to vote especially for the 2022 election. If we really want change in our country, we should also do our responsibility as a citizen of the Philippines. Every vote matters. Maybe that one vote of yours can change the future of the Philippines.
The Commissions on Elections announced that they are conducting an online registration which is easier especially during these times as you do not need to go out of your house and line up with other people. You may access this link and follow the instructions written on the webpage.
https://www.comelec.gov.ph/?r=VoterRegistration/iRehistro
“Being Young and Making an Impact”
This is also one of my favorite as it tackles about being a leader despite at a young age. I was so amazed by the story of Nathalie Warne, that at the age of 18, she already made an impact and change the world. To be honest, I am envy of her because I am already 19 years old as of the moment however I still haven’t done something big which I think I have contributed to help at least my community or other people.
But I just want to share with you that at the age of 16, I was able to enhance my leadership skill as I was elected as one of the officers of the Supreme Student Government in my previous school. We are lucky as they gave us seminars and trainings to help enhance our leadership skills at a young age.
I hope one day, I will be able to use my leadership skill in helping and creating something that will benefit the community where I belong and use the knowledge I have learned from the module.
“The Big P’s: Practical Knowledge, Planning and Practice”
Recently, typhoon Ulysses hit and affected most of the parts in Luzon and caused a huge damage. And my family were also affected as most of the areas in our barangay were submerged in flood as our area is near the Marikina and Pasig River. Luckily, we are somewhat prepared for these kinds of natural disasters and we have knowledge on what to do before, during and after disaster.
It is important for the local government to help their people be knowledgeable and prepared especially to those who are most likely to get affected, just like our barangay. During the typhoon, I have observed that most of my ka-barangays doesn’t know what to do such as how to prepare and what are the things needed to prepare when a typhoon was about to hit, where will they evacuate, etc. I think this is the main reason why it caused a huge damage to them. If only they were able to know the right action to take, we can prevent things like this to happen.
We are fortunate as the flood and typhoon did not caused a huge damage to our house compared to what our other ka-barangays experienced. Few days after the typhoon and when the flood was gone, we gave some foods and relief goods to them especially to those living near the river and those who are really affected. My mom together with her friends gave out food stubs and relief goods.
To wrap things up, I really learned a lot of things from the modules uploaded in our NSTP subject. Some of which are new to me that I am not aware of before. As a young adult, it influenced and enhanced my self-improvement as well as my community engagement. Others may find this subject boring but I hope they will realize the importance of its objectives to us not just as students but also a citizen. When everything gets back to normal, I hope I will get to experience going to different communities and serve them.
MICAHdventures 