UP CIDS, AFP-OSSSM, and UP Vanguard, Inc. Host Roundtable on Strengthening Integrated Defense Through Strategic Reserve Activation
On June 24, 2026, the University of the Philippines Center for Integrative and Development Studies (UP CIDS) hosted a roundtable discussion (RTD) titled “Strengthening Integrated Defense Through Strategic Reserve Activation” at UP Diliman. The event focused on policy reforms for the National Service Training Program (NSTP) and reserve force development and was moderated by LTC Jan Chavez Arceo, GSC (MNSA) PA (RES) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Leadership Development Center Core Group.
The morning session, which focused on the National Service Reserve Corps (NSRC), opened with remarks from Dr. Percival F. Almoro, Assistant Vice President for Research and Innovation at the University of the Philippines, and MGEN Peale Jon Bondoc PA, National Commander of the UP Vanguard.
Manuel R. Nivera Jr., MNSA, Chief of the Readiness Division of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), presented updates on the draft Manual of Operating Procedures (MOP), outlining a governance structure from the national level down to the barangay and a centralized NSRC Information Management System (NSRCIMS). Ms. Youri M. Castro of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) introduced the ACHIEVE agenda, emphasizing that NSTP graduates should be “A.C.T.I.V.E.”—Aware, Committed, Thoughtful, Involved, Virtuous, and Empowered. Atty. Gio Franco Gomez, Executive Director of the Partnerships and Linkages Office of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), discussed implementation in technical-vocational institutions, highlighting the 2022 amendments that mandate insurance coverage for trainees and allow program clustering to improve efficiency.
Institutional best practices were shared by Asst. Prof. Olivia Alma G. Sicam, Director of the UP Diliman NSTP, who featured the UP Rayadillo ceremonial unit and alumni-funded scholarship initiatives, and by Ms. Noelle R. Flores of Ateneo de Manila University, who explained how the Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS) is integrated with core subjects such as Theology. The morning session concluded with a synthesis by Dr. Benjamin Vallejo Jr.
The afternoon session shifted its focus to the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) and was introduced by Dr. Rosalie Arcala Hall, Executive Director of UP CIDS. Policy directions were presented by ASec. Katherine B. Lingan, MNSA, Assistant Secretary for Policy Management, and USec. Pablo M. Lorenzo, Undersecretary for Civil, Veteran, and Reserve Affairs of the Department of National Defense (DND).
COL Joven D. Bugarin PA (GSC), Chief of the AFP Reservist Training Division, explained the ROTC Program Pathway, distinguishing Ready Reservists, who undergo a minimum of 30 days of annual training, from Standby Reservists, who are primarily mobilized during national emergencies.
A panel on institutional best practices followed, featuring Ms. Noelle R. Flores, who discussed weather-adaptive scheduling for cadets, and COL Allan Peter D. Rudio PA (MNSA), Chief of the AFP Manpower Development Division. COL Roberto V. Mara PAF (GSC) of the Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) presented modernization initiatives, including QR code-based attendance systems and a digital management portal. COL Hilario C. De Vera Jr. PN(M)(GSC), Commandant of the Adamson University Naval ROTC Unit, proposed strategies to improve recruitment through flexible uniform policies and the integration of university athletes into ROTC training.
The session was synthesized by LTCOL Arnell Joie P. Estillote PN(M), Assistant Chief of the Policy Studies Division of the AFP Office of Strategic Studies and Strategy Management (OSSSM). The event concluded with closing remarks from BGEN Jessie A. Banastao PAF, Chief of the AFP OSSSM, who emphasized that strengthening inter-agency coordination and standardizing NSTP and reserve force protocols are essential to building a more cohesive national defense system.
