Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL No. __ 
_ 
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Introduced by HONORABLE ERNESTO "ERNDC" M. DIONISIO, JR. 
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AN ACT 
TO ENCOURAGE VOLUNTEERISM BY PROTECTING VOLUNTEERS 
FROM LIABILITY IN THE PERFORMANCE OF VOLUNTEER SERVICES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Martin Luther King once said, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 
what are you doing for others?" 
Volunteerism should be protected rather than punished. In an era where the 
spirit of volunteerism has become rare and antiquated, it is only befitting that 
volunteers are provided a level of protection, that will leave them without fear of liability 
arising from their acts. 
This bill seeks to introduce measures protecting volunteers, as defined in this 
act, from prosecution for acts or omissions done in the performance of volunteer work. 
"ERNIX" M. DI NISIO, JR. 
Assistant Majority Floor Leader 
Congressman 
First Congressional District of Manila 
September 27, 2022
11:25 am
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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL No. __ 
_ 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------,----
Introduced by HONORABLE ERNESTO "ERNIX" M. DIONISIO, JR. 
-------------------------------------------------------------------
AN ACT 
TO ENCOURAGE VOLUNTEERISM BY PROTECTING VOLUNTEERS 
FROM LIABILITY IN THE PERFORMANCE OF VOLUNTEER SERVICES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Volunteer Protection 
Act of 2022." 
SECTION 2. Policy. - It is the policy of the State to encourage volunteerism by 
protecting volunteers from liability in the performance of volunteer services for a 
governmental entity, non-profit organization, or the Philippine Red Cross. 
SECTION 3. Definitions. - For purposes 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) Philippine Red Cross" shall refer to the voluntary, independent, and 
autonomous non-governmental society auxiliary to the authorities of the 
Republic of the Philippines in the humanitarian field, to assist said authorities in 
discharging the obligations set forth in the Geneva Conditions and the Statutes 
of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement under Republic 
Act No. 10072. 
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(4) Volunteer shall refer to an individual performing volunteer services who does 
not receive compensation or any other thing of value in lieu of compensation, 
other than reasonable reimbursement or allowance for expenses actually 
incurred. 
(5) Volunteer Services" shall refer to services rendered by a volunteer for a 
governmental entity, non-profit organization, or the Philippine Red Cross. 
SECTION 4. Liability Protection for Volunteers. - No volunteer shall be liable 
for harm caused by an act or omission if: 
(1) the volunteer was acting within the scope of the volunteer's responsibilities 
in a governmental entity, non-profit organization, or the Philippine Red Cross at 
the time of the act or omission; 
(2) if appropriate or required, the volunteer was properly licensed, certified, or 
authorized by the appropriate authorities for the activities or practice in the 
volunteer services in which the harm occurred, where the activities were or 
practice was undertaken within the scope of the volunteer's responsibilities in 
the governmental entity, non-profit organization, or the Philippine Red Cross at 
the time of the act or omission; and 
(3) the harm was not caused by willful or criminal misconduct, gross negligence, 
reckless misconduct, or a conscious, flagrant indifference to the rights or safety 
of the individual harmed by the volunteer. 
SECTION 5. Exceptions. - The liability protection for volunteers under 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 Volunteers. - A governmental 
entity, nonprofit organization, or the Philippine Red Cross shall exercise due diligence 
in the selection and supervision, including training, of volunteers to competently 
perform the volunteer services. 
SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Philippine National 
Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency, in consultation with relevant governmental 
entities, nonprofit organizations, and the Philippine Red Cross, 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,