FOURTEENTH CONGRESS 
OF THE PHlLlPP INES 
First Regular Session 
OF 
- 
THE REPUBLIC ) 
) 
) 
SEN 
S. No. 
Introduced by Senator Richard J. Gordon 
iv 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
It is the policy of the State to inculcate patriotism and nationalism, and encourage the 
involvement of the people in the public, social and civic affairs that promote the welfare of the 
nation. As such, this proposed legislation seeks to encourage volunteerism, which is service 
without compensation in a non-profit organization or government entity, as a value that the 
State should recognize, promote and develop among its people. 
The spirit of volunteerism reflects the ability of a people to put the interest of the 
community before their own, and the foresight and maturity to appreciate the value of short- 
term sacrifice for long-term gain, The positive experience of the people of Olongapo City 
regarding the conversion of the former Subic Naval Base into a self-sustaining industrial, 
commercial, financial and investment, tourism and recreation center is a sterling example of the 
feat that volunteerism can achieve. The willingness to work for a cause and not just for 
compensation brings out the best in the Filipino, which must be encouraged and replicated, if 
the nation is to rise above its present slump. 
However, the willingness of volunteers to offer their services is deterred by the potential 
legal liability that may arise out of their endeavor. As a result, many non-profit organizations 
and government entities, including voluntary associations, social service agencies, educational 
institutions, and other civic programs, are adversely affected. The contribution of these non- 
profit organizations and governmental entities to specific communities, in particular, and the 
nation, in general, is thereby diminished, resulting in higher costs and fewer benefits than would 
be obtainable if volunteers were participating. 
Because of the problems created by the legitimate fears of volunteers about frivolous, 
arbitrary and capricious legal actions against them, the protection of volunteers through the 
clarification and limitation of liability risks that they assume is, therefore, an appropriate and 
important subject for legislation. This bill also allows the grant to incentives to volunteers in the 
form of insurance for injury, sickness, disability, or death of the volunteer during his or her 
incumbency in a non-profit organization or government entity. It also allows the giving of a 
token of recognition afler the accomplishment of volunteer work, to the volunteer, for services 
rendered in a non-profit organization or government entity. Such measures reflect the 
protection and importance that volunteers deserve for 
rvice crucial to the 
development of the nation. 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
SENATE 
S. No. 
v u  
Introduced by Senator Richard J. Gordon 
AN ACT TO ENCOURAGE VOLUNTEERISM BY PROVIDING PROTECTION FROM 
GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES AND ALLOWING THE GRANT OF INCENTIVES 
THEREFOR 
LIABILITY OF VOLUNTEERS SERVING IN NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND 
Be if enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in the 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title, -This Act shall be known as the “Volunteer Act of 2007.” 
Sec. 2. Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to encourage 
volunteerism by providing protection from liability of volunteers serving in non-profit 
organizations and government entities and allowing the grant of incentives therefor. 
Sec. 3. Definitions. -For the purposes of this Act, 
(I) 
“Volunteer” refers to an individual serving in a non-profit organization or 
governmental entity who does not receive compensation, other than reasonable 
reimbursement or allowance for expenses actually incurred, or any other thing of 
value in lieu of compensation. 
(2) ”Non-profit organization” refers to any organization, which is organized and 
conducted not for profit but for public benefit and operated primarily for 
charitable, religious, educational, professional, cultural, fraternal, literary, 
scientific, social, welfare, civic service, or similar purposes. 
(3) “Governmental entity” refers to any branch, office or instrumentality of 
government. 
to act upon it to his or her legal injury. 
(5) “Gross Negligence” refers to such entire want of care in a way that shows 
recklessness or willful disregard of the consequences as affecting another 
person and causing him or her legal injury. 
(4) “Fraud” refers to a false representation of a fact, which deceives another person 


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(6) “Crime” refers to an act or omission punishable by law. 
Sec. 4. Diligence in the Selection and Supervision of Volunteers. - A non-profit 
organization or governmental entity shall exercise the diligence of a good father of a family 
in the selection and supervision of volunteers. 
Sec. 5. Liability Protection for Volunteers. - No volunteer shall he liable for an act 
or omission within the volunteer‘s scope of duties on behalf of the non-profit organization or 
governmental entity, unless the act or omission of the volunteer constitutes fraud, gross 
negligence, or crime. 
Sec. 6. Incentives. - A non-profit organization or governmental entity may provide 
insurance for injury, sickness, disability, or death to the volunteer during the volunteer‘s 
incumbency in a non-profit organization or governmental entity. 
After the accomplishment of volunteer work, a non-profit organization or 
governmental entity may give a token of recognition to the volunteer for services rendered in 
a non-profit organization or governmental entity. 
Sec. 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or 
other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly. 
Sec. 8, Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby shall 
remain in force and effect. 
Sec. 9. €ffecflvify. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following the 
completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or ip a newspaper of general circulation 
ip the Philippines. 
Approved,