VOLUNTEER ACT OF 2007

Case Overview and Summary

Title: Volunteer Act of 2007

Declaration of Policy (Section 2):
- Promote participation of various sectors in public and civic affairs
- Adopt and strengthen volunteerism as a strategy for national development and international understanding
- Inculcate volunteerism as a way of life to foster social justice, solidarity, and sustainable development

Goals and Objectives (Section 3):
- Provide a policy framework on volunteerism
- Create a conducive environment for volunteers and volunteer service organizations
- Strengthen the role of the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA)

Definitions (Section 4):
- Volunteerism: Act involving a wide range of activities for the public good, without monetary incentives as the primary motivation
- Volunteer: Individual or group contributing time, service, and resources for a social development cause
- Volunteer service organization: Group that recruits, trains, deploys, and supports volunteer workers
- Voluntary sector: Sectors of Philippine society that organize volunteers for local and national development, and international cooperation

Role and Modalities of Volunteerism (Sections 5-6):
- Academe: Provide technical assistance, share technology, upgrade education quality, and enhance careers
- Corporate sector: Express corporate social responsibility through employee volunteering, fundraising, outreach activities, advocacy, mentoring, and pro bono services
- Not-for-profit organizations: Provide complementary service delivery, human resource development, and advocacy for disadvantaged groups
- Foreign volunteer organizations: Provide technical assistance in priority development areas within the framework of technical cooperation and socio-cultural exchange

Role of the Government (Section 7):
- Coordinate, facilitate, and encourage participation of the voluntary sector in national development and international cooperation
- Provide an enabling and conducive environment for volunteer work

Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) (Sections 8-9):
- Undertake the implementation and execution of the provisions of this Act
- Review and formulate policies and guidelines for the national volunteer service program
- Coordinate, monitor, and evaluate the national volunteer service program
- Act as a clearing house for international volunteer services
- Develop and implement prototypes and models of volunteering
- Provide technical services and support for capability building of volunteers and organizations
- Undertake advocacy for the promotion and recognition of volunteerism
- Establish and maintain a national network of volunteer organizations
- Administer all PNVSCA funds from all sources

MultiSectoral Advisory Body (MSAB) (Sections 10-11):
- Reconstituted body with representatives from government agencies, corporate sector, private academe, and not-for-profit sector
- Provide advice in formulating policies and guidelines for the national volunteer service program
- Provide consultative and technical advisory services on volunteer matters
- Serve as a forum to enhance and strengthen linkages between volunteer groups and communities

Special Provisions (Section 12):
- Establishment of a national volunteer infrastructure and forum
- Integration of volunteerism in the basic and higher education curriculum
- Establishment of volunteer programs in national government agencies and local government units (LGUs)
- Recognition and incentives to volunteers, including allowance, insurance, training, and privileges for Filipino overseas volunteers
- Visa privileges for foreign volunteers and their legal dependents, with multiple entry and exemption from visa and immigration fees

Institutional Mechanism for Research, Documentation, Recognition, and Modeling (Section 13):
- Establish a mechanism for continuing research, documentation, recognition, and modeling of best volunteer practices
- Spearheaded and administered by the PNVSCA, in consultation with relevant agencies, NGOs, and private institutions

Implementing Rules and Regulations (Section 14):
- The PNVSCA, with advice from the MSAB, shall promulgate the rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions of this Act

Repealing Clause (Section 15):
- All laws, decrees, executive orders, and rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are repealed or modified accordingly

Effectivity (Section 16):
- This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two newspapers of general circulation