QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES– As the country’s focal point for the 2026 International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development (IVY 2026), the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) is maximizing all avenues to promote the global celebration. For the first week of February, PNVSCA has organized, or has been engaged in 12 activities to discuss IVY 2026.
On February 3, PNVSCA participated in the meeting called by the Philippine Coalition on Volunteerism (PhilCV), an umbrella organization of volunteer-involving organizations, to discuss the country’s roadmap for commemorating IVY 2026.
On February 4, PNVSCA met with the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Bangkok to update the latter on initial efforts for IVY 2026. In the meeting, UNV Bangkok expressed interest in participating in some of the national events of the country.
On the same day, PNVSCA met with the Search and Rescue Unit Foundation (SARUF), a non-government organization dedicated to empowering families and communities with knowledge on disaster survival and response. Both organizations shared their initiatives and agreed to formalize their partnership through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). SARUF President Gerardo Carual highlighted the importance of involving families as volunteer responders during emergencies. PNVSCA Executive Director Donald James D. Gawe noted that the partnership is timely as the agency is reaching out to all sectors as part of its commitment for the IVY. The two organizations agreed to collaborate for the conduct of an event to highlight the IVY 2026 message.
Still on February 4, PNVSCA discussed with representatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) a possible national activity for IVY 2026 to recognize the importance of volunteering for drug prevention.
The next day, February 5, the Agency reached another milestone in promoting volunteerism to various sectors as it sealed MOAs with the Couples for Christ’s (CFC) Missio Amare, a religious-based organization , the Construction Management Development Foundation (CMDF), and the Digital Creatives. Currently, Missio Amare and the other entities of the CFC are engaging many volunteers directly and indirectly. In line with the IVY’s advocacy on data and measurement, CFC Chairperson Atty. Arnel Santos acknowledged that the organization needs to improve its database management system. The two organizations agreed to refine the MOU and develop an action plan to guide the partnership.
Similarly, CMDF Executive Director Ofelia Usigan proposed the conduct of strategic planning to determine the priority actions of the group and focus of intervention.
On February 6, PNVSCA held a coordination meeting with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Academy to discuss possible strategies and next steps for revitalizing the Bayanihang Bayan Program (BBP) in collaboration with the DSWD Field Offices. Facility Manager Efricor Sakilayan and Social Welfare Officer and BBP Focal Person Danallyn Misanes expressed enthusiasm, noting that strengthening the program is very timely as the country prepares for the IVY 2026 celebration.
Also on the same date, PNVSCA met with the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) to explore possible collaboration for IVY 2026. PNVSCA and PCW align efforts for IVY 2026 to champion gender-responsive volunteerism with support from Regional GAD Councils nationwide, while also integrating IVY advocacies into ASEAN activities led by PCW, further amplifying the call for inclusive and gender-responsive development across the region.
Still on February 6, PNVSCA joined the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) in Kape at Kumustahan: Empowering Active Museum Volunteers through RA 9418, a meaningful dialogue with active NMP volunteers on the Volunteer Act of 2007. PNVSCA served as subject matter expert, highlighting the rights, protection, and vital role of volunteers in nation-building. In a meeting after the activity, NMP Deputy Director-General for Museums Arvin Manuel R. Villalon shared NMP’s openness to collaborate with PNVSCA for IVY 2026 activities.
Given the importance of mass-based advocacy, the Agency once again made a pitch on IVY 2026 when it guested during the Ahensya de Konsensiya program of DZAS 702 AM of the Far East Broadcasting Company held last February 4.
The agency also met with the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development’s (DEPDev) Development Information Staff on the same day for the conduct of a press conference by early March to officially launch the IVY 2026 in the country.
The agency also met with the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development’s (DEPDev) Development Information Staff on the same day for the conduct of a press conference by early March to officially launch the IVY 2026 in the country.
PNVSCA has been actively promoting the IVY 2026 in various activities organized and/or attended by the agency since the IVY 2026 National Committee was organized.
On January 27 and 28, the Agency encouraged JICA volunteers and management and the local partner institutions to participate in the global celebration during the Activity Planning Workshop of Batch 182 and Mid-term Reporting of Batch 180, as well as in KOICA’s Bilateral Programming meeting.
On January 28, PNVSCA informed the House of Representatives Committee on People’s Participation about IVY 2026 when it attended the Committee hearing on proposed measures on the National Volunteers Month Bill, Emergency Volunteer Protection Bills, and Good Samaritan Bills. ED Gawe expressed hope that the enactment of these laws on volunteerism, especially this year, will be a meaningful expression of support for the global celebration on the importance of volunteerism.

From the Legislature, PNVSCA explored potential partnerships with New Media – the Vloggers. The participants shared as to how Volunteerism can be integrated in their content, reaching as many people as possible. ED Gawe shared how he envisions collective action from the vloggers in support of bayanihan, fittingly in time for IVY 2026.
Moreover, PNVSCA formally inked its partnership with the Philippine Normal UniQUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES– As the country’s focal point for the 2026 International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development (IVY 2026), the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) is maximizing all avenues to promote the global celebration. For the first week of February, PNVSCA has organized, or has been engaged in 12 activities to discuss IVY 2026.
On February 3, PNVSCA participated in the meeting called by the Philippine Coalition on Volunteerism (PhilCV), an umbrella organization of volunteer-involving organizations, to discuss the country’s roadmap for commemorating IVY 2026.
On February 4, PNVSCA met with the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Bangkok to update the latter on initial efforts for IVY 2026. In the meeting, UNV Bangkok expressed interest in participating in some of the national events of the country.
On the same day, PNVSCA met with the Search and Rescue Unit Foundation (SARUF), a non-government organization dedicated to empowering families and communities with knowledge on disaster survival and response. Both organizations shared their initiatives and agreed to formalize their partnership through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). SARUF President Gerardo Carual highlighted the importance of involving families as volunteer responders during emergencies. PNVSCA Executive Director Donald James D. Gawe noted that the partnership is timely as the agency is reaching out to all sectors as part of its commitment for the IVY. The two organizations agreed to collaborate for the conduct of an event to highlight the IVY 2026 message.
Still on February 4, PNVSCA discussed with representatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) a possible national activity for IVY 2026 to recognize the importance of volunteering for drug prevention.
The next day, February 5, the Agency reached another milestone in promoting volunteerism to various sectors as it sealed MOAs with the Couples for Christ’s (CFC) Missio Amare, a religious-based organization , the Construction Management Development Foundation (CMDF), and the Digital Creatives. Currently, Missio Amare and the other entities of the CFC are engaging many volunteers directly and indirectly. In line with the IVY’s advocacy on data and measurement, CFC Chairperson Atty. Arnel Santos acknowledged that the organization needs to improve its database management system. The two organizations agreed to refine the MOU and develop an action plan to guide the partnership.
Similarly, CMDF Executive Director Ofelia Usigan proposed the conduct of strategic planning to determine the priority actions of the group and focus of intervention.
On February 6, PNVSCA held a coordination meeting with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Academy to discuss possible strategies and next steps for revitalizing the Bayanihang Bayan Program (BBP) in collaboration with the DSWD Field Offices. Facility Manager Efricor Sakilayan and Social Welfare Officer and BBP Focal Person Danallyn Misanes expressed enthusiasm, noting that strengthening the program is very timely as the country prepares for the IVY 2026 celebration.
Also on the same date, PNVSCA met with the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) to explore possible collaboration for IVY 2026. PNVSCA and PCW align efforts for IVY 2026 to champion gender-responsive volunteerism with support from Regional GAD Councils nationwide, while also integrating IVY advocacies into ASEAN activities led by PCW, further amplifying the call for inclusive and gender-responsive development across the region.
Still on February 6, PNVSCA joined the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) in Kape at Kumustahan: Empowering Active Museum Volunteers through RA 9418, a meaningful dialogue with active NMP volunteers on the Volunteer Act of 2007. PNVSCA served as subject matter expert, highlighting the rights, protection, and vital role of volunteers in nation-building. In a meeting after the activity, NMP Deputy Director-General for Museums Arvin Manuel R. Villalon shared NMP’s openness to collaborate with PNVSCA for IVY 2026 activities.
Given the importance of mass-based advocacy, the Agency once again made a pitch on IVY 2026 when it guested during the Ahensya de Konsensiya program of DZAS 702 AM of the Far East Broadcasting Company held last February 4.
The agency also met with the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development’s (DEPDev) Development Information Staff on the same day for the conduct of a press conference by early March to officially launch the IVY 2026 in the country.
The agency also met with the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development’s (DEPDev) Development Information Staff on the same day for the conduct of a press conference by early March to officially launch the IVY 2026 in the country.
PNVSCA has been actively promoting the IVY 2026 in various activities organized and/or attended by the agency since the IVY 2026 National Committee was organized.
On January 27 and 28, the Agency encouraged JICA volunteers and management and the local partner institutions to participate in the global celebration during the Activity Planning Workshop of Batch 182 and Mid-term Reporting of Batch 180, as well as in KOICA’s Bilateral Programming meeting.
On January 28, PNVSCA informed the House of Representatives Committee on People’s Participation about IVY 2026 when it attended the Committee hearing on proposed measures on the National Volunteers Month Bill, Emergency Volunteer Protection Bills, and Good Samaritan Bills. ED Gawe expressed hope that the enactment of these laws on volunteerism, especially this year, will be a meaningful expression of support for the global celebration on the importance of volunteerism.
From the Legislature, PNVSCA explored potential partnerships with New Media – the Vloggers. The participants shared as to how Volunteerism can be integrated in their content, reaching as many people as possible. ED Gawe shared how he envisions collective action from the vloggers in support of bayanihan, fittingly in time for IVY 2026.

Moreover, PNVSCA formally inked its partnership with the Philippine Normal University (PNU) last January 29. The agreement marks the beginning of a concerted effort to integrate volunteer service into PNU’s research and extension initiative as well as contribute to both the Philippine’s chairmanship of ASEAN 2026 and for IVY celebration.

Following this, PNVSCA also had an exploratory meeting with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO). In line with the IVY 2026 celebration, Secretary Dante Ang II and ED Gawe agreed that Volunteerism can be a way to enhance the Commission’s ongoing program YouLEAD, which provides cultural activities for Filipino youth born outside the Philippines who are returning to the country to visit. They also discussed the possible inclusion of a category for Overseas Filipinos in the annual Search for Outstanding Volunteers.
As the country enters the second month of IVY 2026, PNVSCA continues to fulfill with vigor its mandate to the Filipino people and its global commitment to the United Nations by actively engaging with its partners and stakeholders from diverse sectors, united in the aspiration of making volunteerism a way of life and a strategy for inclusive and sustainable development.ersity (PNU) last January 29. The agreement marks the beginning of a concerted effort to integrate volunteer service into PNU’s research and extension initiative as well as contribute to both the Philippine’s chairmanship of ASEAN 2026 and for IVY celebration.
Following this, PNVSCA also had an exploratory meeting with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO). In line with the IVY 2026 celebration, Secretary Dante Ang II and ED Gawe agreed that Volunteerism can be a way to enhance the Commission’s ongoing program YouLEAD, which provides cultural activities for Filipino youth born outside the Philippines who are returning to the country to visit. They also discussed the possible inclusion of a category for Overseas Filipinos in the annual Search for Outstanding Volunteers.
As the country enters the second month of IVY 2026, PNVSCA continues to fulfill with vigor its mandate to the Filipino people and its global commitment to the United Nations by actively engaging with its partners and stakeholders from diverse sectors, united in the aspiration of making volunteerism a way of life and a strategy for inclusive and sustainable development.