On June 25, 2025, Opol Community College, City College of El Salvador, and City College of Cagayan de Oro launched a joint initiative to localize the National Service Training Program (NSTP). The collaboration aims to develop context-based learning materials that reflect local community needs—marking a significant step toward more relevant and responsive civic education.
The exploratory meeting, held at the Office of the President of Opol Community College, culminated in the formal start of the collaborative NSTP workbook project. This endeavor aims to co-develop a unified and contextualized NSTP workbook that reflects the lived experiences, needs, and realities of communities served by the three institutions.
Spearheading the meeting were key academic leaders: Dr. Neilson D. Bation, President of OCC, who hosted and provided technical assistance for the publication process; and Dr. Ray Butch D. Mahinay, Vice President for Extension and Social Development Services of CCCDO, who emphasized the importance of localized NSTP implementation.
The tri-college initiative underscores the colleges’ shared commitment to nurturing civic engagement, leadership, and volunteerism among students, in alignment with the national goal of nation-building. As the partnership moves forward, the participating colleges envision expanded training programs, shared service learning projects, and stronger community engagement platforms—all rooted in the core principles of the NSTP and responsive to regional needs.