Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. s02t

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ALFRED VARGAS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

It is a moral duty of the State to instill nationalism and to rekindle the spirit of “Bayanihan,”
encouraging the involvement of the people in public, social and civic affairs. Volunteerism enables
individuals and communities to take an active role in nation-building.

While physical disability may limit a person's capacity to volunteer, they can still fully engage in life-
worthy activities through online volunteerism. Currently, the Philippines has a total headcount of 1.4
million Filipinos who belong to the Persons with Disability (PWD) sector, yet our country still lags
behind to becoming PWD-inclusive. Providing them with opportunities to volunteer online, barriers to
their inclusion are overcome.

Through volunteerism, PWDs will be enabled to develop their skills and become part of communities
that advance different advocacies and human development, as they participate in the society on an
equal basis with everyone else while helping their fellowmen facing different challenges.

Online volunteerism provides opportunities that allow our PWD brothers and sisters to share their
strengths, abilities and skills from the comfort of their own home, and make a tremendous impact on
the lives of others as well as their own.

The focus of this Bill is never on people’s disabilities. It’s about their abilities.

To achieve a more inclusive Filipino society and to further empower the PWD sector, this Bill is

eamestly sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 4021

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT
TO PROVIDE PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES WITH
ONLINE VOLUNTEERISM OPPORTUNITIES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress

assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title - The Act shall be known as the “PWD Online Volunteerism Act of
19”

SECTION 2. Policy ~ It is the policy of the State to encourage volunteerism while ensuring the

inclusivity of Persons with Disabilities in nation-building.

SECTION 3. Definitions — For the purpose of this Act,
(1) Governmental entity shall refer to any branch, office, or instrumentality of government

(2) Non-profit organization shall refer to any organization, which is organized and
conducted for public benefit, operated primarily for charitable, religious, educational,
professional, cultural, fraternal, literary, scientific, social welfare, civic service, or
similar purposes, and not for profit.

(3) Online volunteerism shall refer to advocacy groups established online with an agenda to
commit their time and energy for the well-being of others with an extraordinary
opportunity to put their skills to serve via the internet.

(4) Volunteer shall refer to an individual performing volunteer services who does not
receive compensation or any other thing in lieu of compensation, other than reasonable
reimbursement or allowance for expenses actually incurred.

(5) Persons with disabilities shall define as someone who has a physical or mental
impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his or her ability to
carry out normal day-to-day activities.


(6) Volunteer services shall refer to services rendered by a volunteer for a governmental
entity and non-profit organization.

SECTION 4. Scope - Online volunteerism, through registered web platforms, aims to assist and
advance human development particularly in promoting advocacies for the welfare of fellow Filipinos.

SECTION 5. Exceptions ~ This Act shall not apply to misconduct that (1) constitutes a crime; or
(2) was performed under the influence of intoxicating alcohol or any dangerous drug at the time of the
misconduct

SECTION 6. Selection and Supervision of Online PWD Volunteers — National Council for
Disability Affairs, a government entity and non-profit organizations shall exercise due diligence in the
selection and supervision, including training of PWD online volunteers to perform their volunteer
services.

SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations — National Council for Disability Affairs,
Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency, in consultation with relevant
governmental entities, non-profit organizations shall promulgate rules and regulations to implement the
provisions of this Act within ninety (90) days from its effectivity.

SECTION 8. 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.

SECTION 9. Separability Clause - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall remain in force
and effect.

SECTION 10. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following the

completion of its publication either in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation in
the Philippines.

Approved.