Sr
Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO. 3475

Introduced by Representative Jorge Antonio P. Bustos

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to declare the month of December of every year as the
“National Volunteer Month” in the entire country, amending for the purpose
Republic Act No. 9418, otherwise known as the “National Volunteer Act of
2007.”

In 1964, then President Diosdado P. Macapagal issued Executive Order
No. 134 which created the Philippine National Volunteer Service Committee to
act as the national liaison with the International Secretariat for Volunteer
Service (ISVS) that will recommend appropriate measures for economic
cooperation through participation in ISVS programs.

In 1980, then President Ferdinand E, Marcos issued Executive Order No.
635 to create the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency
(PNVSCA) primarily to effectively formulate policies and guidelines
conceming volunteer service plans and programs in the country.

On December 5, 1985, the United Nations General Assembly, through
Resolution 40/212 declared “International Volunteer Day” to be observed
annually on December 5 of every year. In 1998, several years after the
declaration of the International Volunteer Day, former President Joseph Ejercito
Estrada issued Proclamation No. 55 declaring the month of December of every
year as the National Volunteer Month.


In 2007, Republic Act (RA) No. 9418, otherwise known as the “Volunteer
Act of 2007” was also enacted to provide a policy framework on volunteerism that
underscores the fundamental principles necessary to harness and harmonize the
broad and diverse efforts of the voluntary sector into an integrative and effective
partnership for local and national development.

Under Section 13 of the “Volunteer Act of 2007,” PNVSCA is mandated,
among others, to establish institutional mechanism for continuing research,
documentation, recognition and modeling of best volunteer practices in
implementing development programs, projects and humanitarian activities. For the
purpose of recognizing the volunteers and their contributions to the society, this
proposed measure seeks to amend RA 9418 by adding a new section to declare and
institutionalize under the same law December of every year as the National
Volunteer Month. Further, this measure also seeks to make December 5 of every
year as the National Volunteer Day.

The proposed amendment will further consolidate and concretize into law
the common objectives of Proclamation No. 55 and RA 9418 to promote
volunteerism. For the whole month of December, citizens are called upon to work

together to heighten the “bayanihan” spirit and instill the value of volunteerism.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

CONG. JORGKANTONIO P. BUSTOS


evan eawne

10

Ste

2

23

14

15

16

7

Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO._3475__

Introduced by Representative Jorge Antonio P. Bustos

AN ACT

DECLARING DECEMBER OF EVERY YEAR AS THE “NATIONAL
VOLUNTEER MONTH” IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY, AMENDING FOR
THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9418, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS
THE “VOLUNTEER ACT OF 2007”
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. A new section denominated as Section 13-A is inserted

after Section 13 of Republic Act No. 9418 which shall read as follows:

“SEC. 13. Institutional Mechanism for Research,
Documentation, Recognition and Modeling of Best Volunteer
Practices. — To carry out the purposes of this Act, an institutional
mechanism shall be established, to be spearheaded and
administered by the PNVSCA, for continuing research,
documentation, recognition and modeling of best volunteer
practices as an important component of implementing development

programs and projects and undertaking humanitarian activities. For


10

nu

12

v7

18

19

20

a

this purpose, the PNVSCA in consultation with any and all
relevant government agencies, NGOs, private institutions and
persons shall effect the setting up of the mechanism as well as
determine all requirements and, or necessary acts to ensure its
effective implementation.

“SEC. 13-A. CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL
VOLUNTEER MONTH. -— IN RECOGNITION OF
VOLUNTEERS AND THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO
SOCIETY, THE MONTH OF DECEMBER OF EVERY
YEAR SHALL BE DECLARED AS NATIONAL
VOLUNTEER MONTH IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

DECEMBER 5 OF EVERY YEAR IS ALSO
DESIGNATED AS THE NATIONAL VOLUNTEER DAY.

THE CELEBRATION OF THE NATIONAL
VOLUNTEER MONTH SHALL BE SPEARHEADED BY
THE PNVSCA FOR COORDINATION PUPRPOSES.

ALL HEADS OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND
INSTRUMENTALITIES, INCLUDING GOVERNMENT-
OWNED AND -CONTROLLED CORPORATIONS AS
WELL AS LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS AND

EMPLOYERS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, ARE HEREBY


MANDATED TO ENJOIN ALL THEIR PERSONNEL TO

ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE AND SUPPORT ACTIVITIES

AND PROGRAMS FOR THE CELEBRATION OF

NATIONAL VOLUNTEER MONTH.”

SEC. 2. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,