House committee approves bill institutionalizing volunteerism as strategy for national development

The House Committee on People's Participation has approved a substitute bill seeking to institutionalize volunteerism as a strategy for national development.

The committee chaired by Rep. Benjamin D. Asilo (1st District, Manila) approved the unnumbered substitute bill to House Bill No. 5835 principally authored by Rep. Henedina R. Abad (Lone District, Batanes) and HB 6271 by Rep. Ma. Lourdes Acosta-Alba (1st District, Bukidnon), titled "Volunteer Act of 2016."

Abad, a Deputy Speaker, said with the increasing participation of both the private and public sectors in volunteer work, it is imperative to capture and document the experiences and best practices to cover as many sectors, geographic areas, and fields of volunteer engagements.

"In this regard, there is a need for a sound legal framework to institutionalize an award program that will strengthen the existing 'Search for Outstanding Volunteers' which was started by the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) in 2001 to recognize volunteerism as an important component of implementing development programs, projects and humanitarian endeavors," said Abad.

Acosta-Alba said Republic Act No. 9418, otherwise known as the "Volunteer Act of 2007," only encourages program implementers to provide volunteers with recognition and incentive.

Acosta-Alba said R.A. 9418 must mandate certain responsibilities and commitments by agencies and organizations implementing volunteer programs in order to fulfill the goal "to provide a conducive and enabling environment for volunteers and volunteer service organizations by setting mechanisms to protect volunteers' rights and privileges, and give due recognition to highlight their roles and contributions to society."

"It is also important to address a concern over the implementation of volunteer programs which entails cost for projects and activities, volunteer support and operational management. At present, there is inadequate human and financial resources to effectively implement the mandates of PNVSCA since R.A. 9418 does not provide the source of funding for volunteer programs," said Acosta-Alba, a vice chairperson of the Committee on People's Participation.

The substitute bill provides for the amendment of Sections 1, 4, 5, 9 and 12 of R.A. 9418.

It amends Section 4 of R.A. 9418 by providing for a definition of the National Volunteer Service Program as "the collaborative undertaking of the various sectors in the Philippines to support national development and international cooperation and understanding through volunteerism."

It also defines national development as "the ability of the nation to improve lives of its citizens within the context of volunteerism as a strategy and with an emphasis on the good of the community, both at the local and national level."

The amendments to Section 5 of R.A. 9418, pertaining to "Role and Modalities of Volunteerism," provide for one, that the academe sector shall collectively include both public and private academic institutions, including state universities and colleges.

Moreover, government-owned and controlled-corporations, and government financing institutions are also categorized under the corporate sector as they likewise implement volunteer programs as a component of corporate social responsibility.

Meanwhile, the amendment to Section 9 of R.A. 9418, pertaining to "Mandates of the PNVSCA," provides that the PNVSCA shall also act as clearinghouse for matters pertaining to local and international volunteer services.

As to the amendments to Section 12 of R.A. 9418, pertaining to "Special Provisions," the bill provides that government agencies, private sector organizations and volunteer service organizations implementing volunteer programs shall provide the volunteers with incentive package including, but not limited, to health, accident and life insurance coverage, and reasonable allowances as may be agreed between the organization and the volunteer.

Government agencies, private sector organizations and volunteer service organizations implementing volunteer programs shall provide the volunteers orientation on the volunteer assignment and appropriate training in disaster response and in social services for persons in special circumstances.

Volunteer service organizations implementing programs on the deployment of Filipino volunteers overseas shall provide the volunteers the following: in-country orientation and training; support during their overseas assignment, including but not limited to, volunteer allowances, health and safety aspects, including events of medical or security emergencies, insurance coverage, including third party liability, and international travel to and from country of assignment; and legal assistance or representation when needed.

Meanwhile, the National Outstanding Volunteer Award (NOVA) shall be conferred by the President of the country to recognize the exemplary contributions, dedication to service and achievements of individuals and organizations in uplifting the lives of peoples and communities through volunteerism.

The conferment shall be in accordance with such ceremonies as may be prescribed by the rules and regulations to be promulgated hereinafter, the PNVSCA shall implement the Philippine National Volunteer Awards Program (PNVAO).

The amount necessary to implement these awards shall be sourced from the current and subsequent General Appropriations Act (GAA).

The Local Outstanding Volunteer Award (LOVA) shall be established in recognition of the significant contributions of volunteer individuals and groups in the development of their respective communities. This will be implemented by the respective local executive chief, and the funds for implementation shall be sourced from budget of the concerned LGU.

As to government agencies and private sector organizations implementing government programs, projects, and activities, they shall allocate funds and resources to manage, support and sustain volunteering activities.

Aside from Abad and Acosta-Alba, other authors of the bill are Asilo, Reps. Winston Castelo, Elisa T. Kho, Pablo R. Nava III, Catalina G. Leonen-Pizarro, Leni Gerona-Robredo, Juan Johnny R. Revilla, Noel L. Villanueva, Cresente C. Paez, Alfredo D. Vargas III, Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr. and Samuel D. Pagdilao. (PNA)