“You are not the end product of ROTC—you are the starting point of something bigger.” Catanduanes State University (CatSU) OIC President Dr. Roberto B. Barba Jr. struck both challenge and clarity as he addressed 346 graduates of the Basic ROTC program during the ROTC Graduation and Turnover of Command Ceremony held May 26, with 30 first class cadets and 20 end class cadets completing their final leg of training. With MAJ Renato T. Gianan (INF) PA as the guest of honor, the ceremony marked not just a turnover of saber and command but also of civic duty—one that Barba stressed must live beyond the parade ground. “Let’s get real. Maraming sumali sa ROTC hindi agad dahil sa tapang,” he said. “Minsan, dahil required. Minsan, dahil barkada. O minsan… kasi hindi kasya sa schedule ang NSTP Literacy Training.” But Barba said what began as compliance has now become a symbol of commitment. “You started with a requirement, and now you're graduating with a responsibility,” he declared. The event, held at the university auditorium, also witnessed the symbolic Saber Turnover and Ceremonial Entry of New Reservists, traditions that signify continuity and readiness to serve. Barba reminded the cadets that real life offers no formations, and no drills—just moments that test one's values when no one is watching. “In life, there’s no ‘ready front, march!’ before you enter a job. Walang ‘at ease’ kapag nasasaktan. But the mindset? You’ve built it here,” he said. He framed ROTC as one of the few programs in the country that doesn’t just train young people to salute—but to serve. “ROTC ang isa sa kakaunti kung saan tinuturuan hindi lang sumunod, kundi manindigan. Hindi lang mag-martsa, kundi magmahal sa bayan.” With nearly 14 million Filipinos aged 15 to 24, Barba posed a challenge: how many are trained to lead, to obey when it’s inconvenient, and to step up under pressure? “The saber isn’t passed because someone is strong. It’s passed because someone is willing.” He called on cadets to carry their training beyond ROTC—into homes, workplaces, and communities. “Serve harder. Lead humbler. You are a seed of the next leadership generation. Sana hindi kayo tumubo sa lupa ng yabang o takot, kundi sa lupa ng paglilingkod.”
The Catanduanes State University (CatSU) Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) Unit improved its standing from 6th place last year to 5th place in the 2025 Regional Annual Administrative and Tactical Inspection (RAATI) among 18 ROTC units in the Bicol Region. With a score of 91.05%, the CatSU ROTC Unit also received three special awards: Best in Unit Briefing, Best in First Aid, and Best in Inspection of Ranks. The awarding ceremony took place on May 10 at Camp Elias Angeles in Pili, Camarines Sur, and the plaques were received by Cadet Colonel Kiel Benedick M. Gianan, the Corps Commander, and ROTC Coordinator Ike U. Marquez. Major General Noe Alberto Q. Peñafiel, Commander of the 9th Infantry Division, served as the guest of honor and speaker at the event. Conducted at CatSU last April 26, the RAATI is an essential mechanism for evaluating the preparedness and operational efficiency of the ROTC unit. Leading the 2025 RAATI were Central Bicol State University of Agriculture – Sipocot Campus (92.25%), Bicol University (92.04%), Tiwi Community College (91.94%), and CBSUA – Pili Campus (91.05%).
Around 60 students from Catanduanes State University (CatSU) and the Christian Polytechnic Institute of Catanduanes (CPIC) joined the Water Search and Rescue Orientation and Rubber Boat Handling Demonstration on Thursday, May 15, organized by the National Service Training Program (NSTP). The event was held in collaboration with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) – Coast Guard Station Catanduanes, the Special Operations Unit – Catanduanes, led by Commander CPO Noel C. Bausa, and the Coast Guard District Bicol. According to the Coast Guard Station – Catanduanes, the training aimed to increase awareness among youth about water rescue operations and the correct use of rescue equipment during maritime emergencies. ROTC Coordinator Ike U. Marquez welcomed the CatSU-NSTP students, CPIC criminology students, and PCG personnel. The orientation included lectures and practical demonstrations designed to equip participants with essential knowledge and skills in water survival, emergency response, and maritime safety. Topics covered included swimming techniques, water entry methods, swimming carries, underwater searches, grabbing and escape procedures, and basic life support and first aid. Participants engaged in various hands-on activities such as knot tying, rubber boat handling, and group exercises, with male and female students forming separate groups. Each team had the chance to practice handling a rubber boat under the guidance of PCG personnel.
Hundreds of students of the National Service Training Program, together with their teachers, joined hands in a campus-wide cleanup activity under the ‘4 O'clock Habit Dengue Prevention’ campaign as a measure to curb the dengue incidence. The volunteer-students were able to collect sacks of solid waste around the campus and destroyed the mosquito breeding sites on August 22, 2024. Prior to the cleanup activity, the Medical and Dental Unit of the university conducted a lecture to raise awareness on how to fight against dengue and the things to do when infected. “We would also like to emphasize the 5S plan, which includes search and destroy mosquito breeding areas, self-protection measures, early consultation, fogging to prevent epidemics, and hydration,” the Medical and Dental Unit wrote on their request letter regarding the conduct of the said activities. “Active engagement and commitment to this habit will be critical in ensuring the health of our school community,” they added.
The program was designed to provide valuable learning and team-building experiences for its participants.The program includes sessions on Management of Learning, Synthesis of Learning, and Unleashing the Servant Leader in Youth through Team building activities, which can help develop leadership skills and foster teamwork among participants.Essentially, the program seeks to promote the values of selfless service and purposeful thinking as a mission, which are important qualities for effective leaders. In the afternoon, NSTP Class Officers were inducted followed by the awarding of certificates to help recognize the achievements of participants and encourage them to continue developing their leadership skills.Hon. Jan A. Alberto, Provincial Board member, served as the guest speaker and inducting officer. He provided valuable insights and perspectives on leadership and service and truly inspired and motivated the participants as they take on their new roles with enthusiasm and dedication.Overall, the GEAR UP program has been carefully designed to provide a comprehensive and engaging leadership training experience for NSTP student leaders in 2023. #CIV
The Catanduanes State University-National Service Training Program (CatSU-NSTP) participated in a seminar-workshop at Albert Hall, Teacher’s Camp, Baguio City, from March 1-4, 2023.The event was conducted by the Center for Human Research & Development Foundation (CHRDF) Inc. in partnership with the University of the Philippines Baguio (UP Baguio).The seminar-workshop aimed to provide participants with a better understanding of the National Service Training Program (NSTP) Law, by revisiting and unpacking IRR and IGP for NSRC, and aligning NSTP with the vision and mission of the institution.The seminar-workshop also focused on delivering NSTP courses through a learner-centered approach and recalibrating NSTP of each Higher Education Institution (HEI) through designing contextualized NSTP.The four-day Seminar-Workshop held a series of simultaneous sessions for NSTP directors, coordinators, teachers and students of the participating HEIs in the country.Concurrently, the National NSTP Student Leadership Conference 2023 was also conducted, which aimed to provide leadership competency development among Filipino youth, instilling the value of patriotism and nationalism.The Director of CatSU-NSTP, Prof. Emlyn M. Lanon, was accompanied by two NSTP student-trainees, Ms. Karyl M. Tugay from the College of Education-Bachelor of Secondary Education-English, and Mr. Thomas Miguel T. Delapeña from the College of Engineering and Architecture-Civil Engineering. The conference aimed to train students to fully appreciate and understand how NSTP should be regarded as not just a college course but a way of life, as they are expected to develop a deeper sense of its purpose and significance. The program is a source of life skills, a part of social responsibility, and a passion for lifelong learning. #CVecilles
The Office of the National Service Training Program (NSTP) at Catanduanes State University (CatSU), under the direction of Prof. Emlyn C. Lanon, conducted a General Orientation and Meet & Greet for NSTP student trainees for the 2nd semester of 2022-2023 academic year The event that took place at the university gymnasium on January 28, 2023, aimed to inform new NSTP coordinators, instructors, and support staff about their responsibilities in training and seminars, ensuring proper implementation of NSTP at the university.Prof. Lanon led the first half of the orientation, which began with an orientation dialogue between all faculty trainers and a discussion of the achievements from the first semester and its evaluation. She also provided a brief overview of the legal basis and revised IRR of NSTP and presented the topics and learning activities for the second semester.The second half of the event, the Meet & Greet Proper, allowed faculty trainers to meet the students, finalize class lists, schedules, and room assignments, conduct student profiling, and elect new class officers.The orientation had a total of 2,453 student-trainees from the nine (9) colleges, together with their respective faculty trainers. Also present are the 2 NSTP Coordinator and the NSTP/NSRC Director. After the orientation, the NSTP Office provided the attendees with the NSTP course syllabus and calendar of activities to help with the implementation of NSTP at CatSU during the 2022-2023 academic year, including community immersion. #CVecilles
NSTP students, faculty and staff gathered as Catanduanes State University in collaboration with Catanduanes 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company sponsored the first NSTP training day and orientation on Executive Order No.70 (INSTITUTIONALIZING THE WHOLE-OF- NATION APPROACH IN ATTAINING INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE PEACE, CREATING A NATIONAL TASK FORCE TO END LOCAL COMMUNIST ARMED CONFLICT, AND DIRECTING THE ADOPTION OF A NATIONAL PEACEFRAMEWORK) at CSU Gymnasium, January 18, 2020. The activity was graced by the Chief Operations Officer of the PNP Provincial Office, PLCOL Dario P. Sola with the representative from the Office of the President of the Philippines, Mr. Mark Llason. Also in attendance were the SUC President III, Dr. Minerva I. Morales, NSTP Director, Dr. Gemma M. Samas, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr.Maria S. Tugano and ROTC, Assistant Commandant and Member of PFMFC- Maj Alan T. Sapanta. EO 70 orientation aimed to acquaint the students the provisions of Executive Order No.70, enlighten the students on the effects of joining the insurgency groups, promote some worthwhile activities that can be explored toward the same end of brotherhood/sisterhood or camaraderie and instill in the minds of students of the CSU Core values, demonstrate commitment and respect one’s peers and other individuals. The part two of the program included the presentation of NSTP Faculty and CDC staff headed by the Civic Welfare Training Service CWTS Coordinator, Dr. Susan M. Tindugan as well as the distribution of class assignment for CWTS and LTS supervised by Dr. Gemma M. Samas.
