MODULE 4: VOLUNTEERISM

Introduction to Volunteerism
Filipino Culture

The diverse Filipino culture is a combination of the indigenous practices and foreign influences
that mold the Filipino character through the years.

The preamble of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states that the role of the government is to
promote the common good. The current Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022 also espouses the
inculcation of values for the common good, cultivating creativity, and strengthening culture sensitive
governance and development. Promoting Philippine Culture and values is seen at the first step to
regain the Filipino spirit of nationalism and pride and enhance the social fabric or “malasakit” in
every Filipino, and collectively as a nation. One the strategies identified in the PDP to implement this
goal is to mainstream cultural education in the basic, technical, vocational, and higher education
systems. Hence, the academe plays a pivotal role in this important national undertaking.

The “common good” or “public good” refers to the “just and/ or fair distribution of material
goods. Of freedom and rights” in society. It consists primarily of having the social systems, institutions,
and environments on which we all depend work in a manner the benefits all people.
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To achieve the common good, the government, the private sector, the community and the
citizens must work together.

“Bayanihan” is one of the values for common good that translates volunteerism, and which
has become a symbol of the Filipino national character. The term itself describes its significance.
“Bayanihan” is rooted in the word “bayani” or hero. It can also come from “bayan” which also
means town or a community of persons. Thus, “Bayanihan” exemplifies a heroic act, or people
working together for mutual benefit.
Concepts and Principles of Volunteerism
Volunteerism has three basic elements:
●​ Free will
○​ Volunteerism is based on the choice of an individual or group, without pressure or force
from other parties.
●​ No material reward
○​ Volunteers do not expect financial or material remuneration for the services rendered,
but institutions mobilizing volunteers, receiving volunteer assistance, and government
are encouraged to provide incentive package and recognition.
●​ Mutual/reciprocal benefits
○​ Both the recipient of assistance and the volunteer benefit from volunteering in terms of
knowledge, skills values, and networks.
○​ Volunteerism also promotes respect and trust, inclusivity and sustainability.

Why do people volunteer? There are many reasons why people volunteer, which can be
categorized into the following:
●​ To help others – people want to give back to society while others want to make difference in
other people’s lives.
●​ To belong to a group – volunteer wants to feel valued.
●​ To learn – people volunteer in order to gain new skills, experience or knowledge.

Modalities of Volunteering
●​ People volunteer their time, talent and treasure
●​ Skills interests and resource
●​ As an individual or as a part of a group or organization
●​ Full-time or part-time; short-term or long-term
●​ Within or outside your organization/community
●​ In the country or overseas

Benefits of volunteering
To the partner group or community
●​ Capacity building
●​ Partnership
●​ Positive image

For partner institutions or communities, the immediate effect is the building of organizational
capacity. The role of volunteers is to help the community access social services and economic
opportunities aimed at sustainability and empowerment.
On the side of the institution providing volunteer assistance, volunteerism is another window to
promote its value and positive image as an agency. This credential can generate and sustain
clientele groups, create improved community perception and linkage which will enable it to get
support and cooperation of key partners for its programs and activities. Participation in development
programs will enhance the organization’s status as a model and a leader in the community.

●​ To the society and government

●​ Economic contribution
●​ Citizen participation in development

While volunteers are not paid, the contributions of volunteers if translated in monetary terms is
immense, and can be considered as inputs in the total economic benefits of the country. The
benefits or learning brought about by volunteering impacts on the society as a whole. It promotes
citizen participation and governance. And lastly, it builds social and human capital, the collective
benefits of the interaction between and among persons or a group which is a very important asset of
a nation or society, harnesses the power of the people which is the most important asset of a nation.

●​ To the volunteer
●​ Knowledge, skills values
●​ Networks
●​ Self-fulfillment

For the volunteer, the learning benefit is immense in terms of knowledge, skills, and values acquired.
Volunteers who are doing community organizing work develop communication, coordination, and
leadership skills while volunteers involved in implementing projects acquire first-step hand experience
in managerial work and are able to establish relationships with other groups and organizations
involved in the project.

These exposures, social and professional groups and friendships can be further developed in
preparation for future careers and employment. The most important benefit that a volunteer gain is
self-fulfillment or actualizing the desire to help in which the volunteer finds happiness and joy in
volunteer work.
Volunteer in the Present Philippine Context
The landscape of Philippine volunteering has evolved through the years and is presently a shared
commitment among various stakeholders of society.

●​ Volunteerism in the not-for-profit or non-government organization is generally in the areas of

provision of complementary social and technical services in underserved communities.
●​ Volunteerism in the corporate sector is an expression of the company’s corporate social
responsibility through employee volunteering.
●​ Volunteerism in the academe is in the form of knowledge and skills sharing in the community,
as well as in enriching knowledge management through research and curriculum
development.
●​ Volunteerism in the government is implemented by enjoining government agencies to set up
volunteer programs to provide opportunities for the public sector to volunteer as well as
encourage government employee volunteering.
●​ International volunteer service organizations deploy foreign volunteers to provide technical
assistance especially in areas where local expertise is not readily available. Volunteer
assistance is aligned with the national development priorities and needs of the institutions and
communities where foreign volunteers are assigned.

The cooperation of the different sectors results to (a) promotion to inclusivity in volunteering, (b)
sharing of resources and information in strengthening each other’s capacities, and (c) partnerships
for sustainability and lasting impact.

Currently, among the emerging sectoral and thematic engagements are in disaster response,
corporate volunteerism, and youth volunteering.
Community Immersion and Volunteerism
Community Immersion as an Entry Point for Promoting Volunteerism

The NSTP Community immersion is a required course for the students. However, the Community
Immersion is seen as a window to provide the students with exposure in volunteer work. It is expected
that the NSTP students will have a positive experience in community immersion that will motivate and
inspire them toward continued volunteer work after the NSTP.

There are myriads of opportunities for volunteer engagement after the NSTP. As provided in RA
9163, the National Service Reserve Corps (NSRC) is created composed of graduates of NSTP who
may be tapped by the state for literacy and civic welfare activities.

Other venues for Volunteering after NSTP are:

●​ Student organizations
●​ Youth organizations
●​ Faith-based organizations
●​ Professional organizations
●​ Employee volunteering in the work place
●​ Volunteering with the family
●​ Individual effort with a host organization

As we encourage youth participation in volunteer service, one of the most important aspects
of volunteerism is the promotion of responsible volunteering, some of the principles associated with
responsible volunteering are:

●​ On-the-job training or internship; paid work with a non-government organization is not

volunteerism.
●​ There should be clear rules and roles for the volunteers and volunteer-involving organizations
such as job description, accountabilities, and responsibilities of both parties.
●​ The welfare and safety of the volunteers is paramount
●​ Volunteers should be given orientation and necessary training before their deployment.
●​ Volunteer assistance should be aligned with cultural, political, environmental and gender
policies and good practices.

Volunteerism in Various Dimensions of Development

Volunteerism contributes to a wide- ranging community development effort, such as in environment,

health, education, entrepreneurship, disaster response, recreation and wellness, morals of citizenry,
and other social services.
Examples of Volunteering in Different Sectors:
●​ Environment – national greening program
●​ Health – medical missions
●​ Education- alternative and tutorial sessions
●​ Entrepreneurship – livelihood skills training
●​ Disaster response - relief efforts, education and advocacy
●​ Recreation and wellness - Community Theater
●​ Morals of citizenry - election watch
●​ Other social services - assistance in drug rehabilitation

Impact of Volunteerism
●​ Improvement of the quality of life of the community.
●​ Volunteerism improves the living condition of assisted individuals, institution or community by
providing access to basic services and building staff and organizational capacities.
●​ Volunteerism also strengthens the volunteer’s ability to fulfill his or her purpose or mission as a
citizen through active contribution of time, expertise and talents.
●​ Volunteerism facilitates social cohesion in the community and creates stringer bonds and
strengthen social network. All these contribute to the attainment of the social well-being of
society.

Supporting the goals of National Development, the Philippine government has recognized the
importance of Volunteerism as a strategy for development. In 2007, the Philippine Congress passed
Republic Act 9418 or the Volunteer Act of 2007 that aims to integrate the efforts of the various sectors
engaged in volunteering to support national development and international understanding.

The Philippine Development Plan from the administration of President Estrada to the present
government of President Duterte, cited volunteerism as a strategy in implementing development
programs and projects. Under the PDP 2017-2022, volunteers are seen to play an important role in
supporting the three pillars of growth – malasakit or enhancing the social fabric; pagbabbago or
inequality- reducing transformation; and patuloy na pag-unlad or increasing growth potential.

In particular, volunteerism emphasized in the areas of citizen engagement for participatory

governance, instilling the values for the common good, harnessing knowledge, and skills for ensuring
access of vulnerable groups to basic services, capability for economic productivity and food
security, strategic intervention in new initiatives, promoting ecological integrity and in peace and
development.