From September 24 to 27, 2024, the U.S. Peace Corps and the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) co-facilitated a workshop aimed at strengthening volunteerism efforts across the Philippines.
Fifty-two representatives from various government, civil society, and private institutions attended the event, which focused on enhancing the Philippine Volunteer Service Program.
Participants assessed the current state of volunteerism in the Philippines and developed strategies to boost volunteer activities, foster collaboration, and institutionalize volunteer efforts.
By formalizing volunteerism, access to public services can be increased, development activities enhanced, and vulnerable populations reached more effectively.
PNVSCA Executive Director Donald James Gawe emphasized the significance of the collaboration, saying, “We aim for a more unified and institutionalized approach that will mobilize volunteers towards nation-building.”
The workshop also drew on best practices from U.S. volunteer programs, including the U.S. Peace Corps and AmeriCorps, with U.S. Peace Corps Host Country Volunteerism Program Specialist Elizabeth Jung providing insights that could serve as models for the Philippines.
The strategies developed during the workshop will be implemented across various sectors, with PNVSCA overseeing the institutionalization of the Philippine Volunteer Service Program.
About the U.S. Peace Corps
The U.S. Peace Corps is the U.S. government’s premier Volunteer organization and has supported Filipino communities across the country for more than 60 years.
More than 9,300 American Volunteers have served as co-teachers, youth development facilitators, environmental experts, and in various other roles requested by host communities.