Volunteerism and Rural Development Act

Establishes a policy framework to unify diverse volunteer efforts into effective local and national development partnerships.
Sets mechanisms for protecting volunteers’ rights, privileges, and for recognizing volunteer contributions.
Enhances the role and capacity of the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) to implement the Act.

"Volunteerism": Activities motivated by sociodevelopmental, business, or corporate commitments aimed at public good without primary monetary incentives.
"Volunteer": Individuals or groups who contribute time and resources to social development causes part-time or full-time.
"Volunteer service organization": Local or foreign groups that recruit, train, deploy, and support volunteers for social programs.
"Voluntary sector": Segments of society organized primarily for local/national development and international cooperation through volunteerism.

In academe: Technical assistance, technology sharing, curriculum improvement, and career exposure.
In corporate sector: Corporate social responsibility initiatives such as fundraising, outreach, environmental programs, health advocacies, mentoring, training, and pro bono services.
In not-for-profit organizations: Complementary services in underserved areas and advocacy for disadvantaged groups.

Involves technical assistance not locally available in priority development areas.
Operates within technical cooperation and sociocultural exchange frameworks.

Coordinates and facilitates voluntary sector participation.
Provides an enabling environment for volunteer engagement nationwide and in international cooperation.

Tasked with implementing the Act.
Responsibilities include policy formulation, program coordination and evaluation, acting as clearinghouse for international volunteer services.
Develops volunteer models, provides technical support, undertakes advocacy, networks volunteer organizations, manages funds.

Composed of representatives from key government agencies, corporate, academe, and not-for-profit sectors.
Provides policy advice, technical consultation, and enhances linkages among volunteer groups.
Government representatives serve permanently; private sector for two years.

National volunteer registration and networking system to improve coordination and resource sharing.
Integration of volunteerism into basic and higher education curricula to instill volunteer culture.
Government agencies and local government units to establish volunteer programs encouraging employee volunteerism.
Recognition and incentives for volunteers including allowances, insurance, training, and privilege grants for overseas volunteers.
Visa privileges for foreign volunteers and their dependents, including multiple entry and exemption from certain fees.

PNVSCA tasked with establishing institutional mechanisms for research, documentation, recognition, and modeling of best volunteer practices.
Collaboration with government agencies, NGOs, private institutions, and individuals to ensure effective implementation.

PNVSCA with MSAB advice to promulgate implementing rules and regulations.
Repeals laws inconsistent with the Act, including Section 12 of Executive Order No. 635.

The Act takes effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or two newspapers of general circulation.