SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
122'7 
Senate Bill No. _~::..:..:--'-
'13 
AUG -6 P 4 :58 
Introduced by JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Less for self, more for Country. 
The goal of this piece of legislation is to encourage the private sector to 
be a supporter of government, not only its critic but rather to be a partner in 
restoring faith of our citizens in our government institutions through 
collaboration and cooperation. It aims to inculcate in the consciousness of 
every Filipino that every Filipino is a nation builder. 
This measure seeks to lay down a legal and institutional framework, 
which would encourage the various sectors of society to volunteer and be 
partners of the government in nation-building. Similarly, this bill defines the 
mission and vision of the volunteerism in nation-building framework, which 
shall enjoin all sectors to practice "bayanihan", harness volunteerism to 
stimUlate local and national development, and provides the key areas of 
government where volunteerism shall be harnessed. 
It is high time that volunteerism in nation building framework be 
institutionalized as a means to directly link the various sectors - the public, 
private, the civil society organizations, through a government initiated 
development plan to address poverty and unemployment, protection of the 
environment and care for the less and underprivileged class of the society. 
Passage of this measure is urgently sought .• 
0(:;-
JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO 


1-
SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 
Stnlb 
1411.;t .f l"t.~"·f.lllf' 
'13 
AUG -6 P 4 58 
1227 
Introduced by JOSEPH VICTOR G, EJERCITO 
AN ACT TO STRENGTHEN NATION-BUILDING THROUGH THE 
INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF A STRATEGIC VOLUNTEERISM- BASED 
MULTISECTORAL PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP FRAMEWORK IN ALL 
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs) AND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS IN 
THE COUNTRY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short TItle. -
This Act shall be known as the "Filipino 
Volunteerism in Nation-Building (VNB) or Bayanihan sa Bagumbayan (BSB) 
Act". 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - (a) It shall be the policy of the State 
to promote the participation of the various sectors of Filipino society in public 
and civic affairs, adopt and strengthen the practice of volunteerism as a 
strategy in national and local development, and to inculcate the "Bayanihan" 
spirit as a way of life. 
(b) The State recognizes and respects the vital role of civil society 
organizations 
(eSOs), 
which 
include, 
among 
others, 
nongovernment 
organizations (NGOs), volunteer service organizations (VSOs) and people's 
organizations (POs), as effective conduits in harnessing people power to 
promote 
and 
achieve nation-building through 
a' strategic 
volunteerisrri 
multisectoral public-private partnership approach. 
(c) The State shall ensure the institutionalization of a committed, 
participative and sustained partnership between the local government units 
(LGUs), congressional districts and the private sector in the process of 
community-building through volunteerism. 
SECTION 3. Statement of Goals and Objectives. -
Pursuant to the 
foregoing policy, the government shall attain the following goals and objectives: 
(a) 
To provide a 
framework for a 
strategic multisectoralpublic-
private partnership through volunteerism; 
(b) To institutionalize volunteerism as a strategy for local development; 
and 


(c) To establish a coordinating mechanism to harmonize national and 
local volunteering efforts. 
SECTION 4. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following 
terms shall be defined as follows: 
(a) Accreditation refers to the formal recognition by the LGUs of CSOs for 
the purpose of registering, certifying and enabling them to participate in the 
VNB program. 
(b) Civil society organizations refer to NGOs, POs, cooperatives, trade 
unions, professional associations, faith-based organizations, media groups, 
indigenous peoples' movements, foundations, and other citizen groups formed 
primarily for social and economic development, to monitor government 
programs and projects, engage in policy discussions, and actively participate in 
collaborative activities with the government. 
(c) Congressional District refers to a territorial division, which under the 
1987 Philippine Constitution is entitled to elect one (1) member to the 
Philippine House of Representatives. 
(d) Volunteer refers to an individual or group who, for reasons arising 
from 
their socio-developmental, business 
and 
corporate 
orientation, 
commitment or conviction, contribute time, service and resources whether 
onfull-time or part-time basis to a just and essential social development cause, 
mission or endeavor in the belief that their activity is mutually meaningful and 
beneficial to public interest as well as to themselves. 
(e) Volunteer service organization refers to a local or foreign group that 
recruits, trains, deploys and supports volunteer workers to programs and 
projects implemented by them or by other organizations or any group that 
provides 
services 
and 
resources 
including, 
but 
not 
limited 
to, 
information, capability-building, advocacy and networking for the attainment of 
common good. 
(I) Volunteerism refers to an act involving a wide range of activities, 
including traditional forms of mutual aid and developmental interventions that 
provides an enabling and empowering environment, both on the part of the 
beneficiary receiving and the volunteer rendering the act, undertaken for 
reasons arising from socio-developmental business or corporate orientation, 
commitment or conviction for the attainment of the public good and where 
monetary and other incentives or reward are not the primary motivating 
factors. 
SECTION 
5. VNB Mission-Vision. -
National 
government 
agencies 
(NGAs), LGUs and the volunteer sector shall be committed to the VNB mission 
and vision, which shall harness the spirit of volunteerism as stimulus for local 
development and as a way of life for each Filipino in recognition of the time-
honored tradition of "Bayanihan" that has evolved to include the participation 
of organized groups and institutions as volunteer partners of government in 
local deVelopment and governance. The LGUs and the congressional districts 
shall also perform critical roles in mobilizing, harmonizing and sustaining 
volunteering efforts. 
The VNB program shall harness the support of ,the above stated sectors in 
the following areas of governance: 


(a) Community-building through shelter and other infrastructure 
support; 
(b) Community, child, youth and maternal health; 
(c) Child and youth education; 
(d) Community entrepreneurship; 
(e) Food sufficiency; 
(f) Gender equality and women empowerment; 
(g) Peace efforts; 
(h) Cultural preservation and promotion; 
(i) Ecotourism; 
m Environmental preservation and protection; and 
(k) Micro-finance and livelihood. 
SECTION 6. VNB Key National and Cooperating Agencies. - To harmonize 
and 
facilitate 
the 
support 
of various 
government 
agencies 
in 
the 
implementation of the VNB, the following NGAs, including their concerned 
bureaus/attached agencies, shall take lead roles in the following key areas: the 
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the review and 
implementation of the VNB socio-welfare projects and activities; the Housing 
and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) in the approval of the 
VNB local shelter plan and coordination of all shelter agencies for the provision 
of support to the VNB program; the Department of the Interior and Local 
Government (DILG) in the coordination of the LGUs with the local VNB 
projects; the Department of Finance (DOF) in the promUlgation of guidelines for 
the availment of tax exemption and other related incentives and benefits and 
for the oversight of their implementation and supervision; and the Department 
of Budget and Management (DBM) in overseeing and monitoring the budget 
utilization of concerned lead or cooperating government agencies in the 
implementation of the VNB program. 
Other government agencies shall provide the necessary support for the 
VNB program, namely: the Office of the President (OP), the National Economic 
and Development Authority (NEDA), the Department of Environment and 
Natural Resources (DENR), the Land Registration Authority (LRA) , the 
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) , the Technology Resource Center 
(TRC) , the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Labor and 
Employment (DOLE), the Department of Education (DepED), the Technical 
Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Commission on 
Higher Education (CHED), the Department of Public Works and Highways 
(DPWH), the Department of Agriculture (DA) , the Department of Agrarian 
Reform (DAR), the Department of Energy (DOE), the National Electrification 
Administration (NEA) and the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA). 
SECTION 7. VNB Coordinating Agency. -
The Philippine National 
Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency 
(PNVSCA) 
shall serve as the 


coordinating agency for the implementation of the VNB program. More 
specifically, the PNVSCA shall have the following functions: 
(a) Formulate and review policies and guidelines on the VNB program; 
(b) Develop and implement a monitoring and evaluation system for the 
VNB program; 
(c) Develop and implement an advocacy campaign for the implementation 
of the VNB program; 
(d) Provide a report to the OP and'to both Houses of Congress on matters 
related to the implementation of the VNB program; and 
(e) Administer all funds related to the VNB program. 
The VNB Program Management Unit shall be created as an attached unit 
to the Office of the Executive Director of the PNVSCA to perform technical and 
administrative tasks to carry out the abovementioned functions. This unit shall 
be headed by an officer who shall supervise a team of volunteer service officers. 
The PNVSCA, in coordination with the DBM, shall prepare the staffing pattern 
of the program management unit. 
SECTION 
8. Inter-agency Coordinating 
Multisectoral Advisory Body (MSAB) of the 
interagency coordinating committee which 
functions: 
Committee. 
-
The existing 
PNVSCA shall serve as the 
shall perform the following 
(a) Provide advice in the formulation of policies and guidelines for the 
VNB program; 
(b) Serve as link between and among lead and cooperating national 
government agencies in the implementation of the VNB; and 
(c) Serve as forum for the review of the VNB implementation with VNB 
stakeholders. 
For this purpose, the composition of the MSAB shall be expanded to 
include the HUDCC, the DOF and the DBM. 
The MSAB may call on the other VNB cooperating agencies and 
concerned institutions on matters pertaining to the implementation of the VNB 
program. 
SECTION 9. VNB Coordinating Desk. - All lead and other cooperating 
agencies shall establish their respective VNB coordinating desk or tap existing 
related unit to serve as the focal unit in coordinating the delivery of support 
services in the implementation of the VNB program. 
At the LGU, the VNB coordinating desk shall 'serve as the focal unit to 
perform, but not limited to, the following functions: 
(a) Undertake the identification of VNB projects and activities; 
(b) Accredit volunteer partners for the implementation of VNB projects 
and activities; and 


... 
(c) Monitor and evaluate the progress of the VNB projects, including 
submission of reports to the Local Development Council and the MSAB. 
At the district level, the representative concerned shall designate a VNB 
liaison officer to serve as the link with the lead and cooperating national 
government agencies and concerned LGU VNB desk officers. 
SECTION 10. Accreditation of VNB Partners and Stakeholders. - All VNB 
program partners shall be required to be accredited by LGUs concerned, in 
coordination with the appropriate agencies, to enable them to participate in the 
VNB program. 
A system of accreditation shall be developed for adoption and 
implementation by the LGUs with proper consultation with the concerned 
agencies. 
SECTION 11. Incentives for VNB Partners and Stakeholders. - Any VNB 
and Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)-accredited donor and donee under a 
VNB program, project or activity shall enjoy the following incentives: 
(a) All donations in cash and in kind, including land, all of which are 
actually, directly and exclusively used by the VNB movement, in its programs, 
projects and activities that provide shelter, basic utilities of electricity and 
water, education, healthcare, livelihood, environment and peace efforts, that 
shall inure to the benefit of poor communities identified by the PNVSCA shall 
be fully tax deductible from the gross income of the donor, under the new 
nomenclature of donations for "nation-building", upon submission to theBIR 
of the VNB requirements for that purpose. The implementation of this incentive 
shall be patterned after the applicable provisions on "Allowable Deductions" 
under Republic Act No. 8424, as amended. 
(b) A donor's tax exemption shall be enjoyed by the VNB donor, upon 
submission to the BIR of the VNB requirements for that purpose. 
The DOF, in coordination with the PNVSCA, the BIR, the Bureau of Customs 
(BoC), and the DBM shall set the guidelines for the screening evaluation and 
approval of all tax incentives and benefits used for VNB purposes, as well as 
the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) specifically to implement the 
incentives provided herein. In line with proper fiscal administration policies, 
the DOF, in coordination with the VNB, shall determine the compliance criteria 
for "utilization", "valuation", "deductibility", "proof of utilization" and "proof of 
deductions" of all VNB donations, whether in cash or in kind, as basis to 
determine the availment of, and continued applicability or withdrawal of all 
such tax incentives and benefits, in accordance with Republic Act No. 8424, as 
amended. 
(c) The socialized housing tax as authorized to be imposed by the LGUs, 
under Section 43 of Republic Act No. 7279, otherwise known as the "Urban 
Development and Housing Act of 1992" shall be used as additional government 
equity under the VNB framework, subject to an interagency memorandum of 
agreement. 
(d) Priority in the grant of acquired land. The government shall also 
consider VNB partners as priorities in the grant of land for socialized housing 
acquired under Republic Act No. 7279 which shall include community 
mortgage, land swapping, land assembly or consolidation, land banking, 


· . 
, " 
donation to the government, joint venture agreement, negotiated purchase and 
expropriation. 
(e) All donations from foreign sources to the VNB shall be exempt from 
customs duties: Provided, That the donees are duly accredited with the BoC. 
The mechanics, criteria, qualifications, all documentary proof of donation 
in cash or in kind, and proof of utilization of donation requirements, and the 
implementation guidelines for all the incentives and benefits provided under 
this section, shall be carried out in accordance with the 1987 Constitution, 
Republic Act No. 8424, as amended, and other applicable laws, rules and 
regulations, and shall be included and clearly specified in the IRR, to ensure 
that these incentives and benefits shall properly benefit the intended 
recipients, to fully and faithfully implement the true intent and spirit of the 
VNB Act. 
The incentives provided under this Act shall be effective for a period of 
eight (8) years, with one (1) extension of another six (6) years, subject to 
satisfactory submission of and compliance with all VNB requirements, terms 
and conditions, including all documentary proof of donation in cash or in kind, 
and proof of utilization of donation requirements for purposes of the VNB Act. 
Thereafter, upon evaluation of and recommendation by the PNVSCA-MSAB and 
the DOF, further extension to the effectivity of the said incentives, and 
corollarily, to the continued existence and operation of the VNB shall be 
subject to congressional action. 
SECTION 12. Incentives for VNB Volunteers. - All VNB program partners 
shall provide volunteers with recognition and incentive package. 
SECTION 13. Special Provision. - VNB Framework Guide Book. - A VNB 
Framework Guide Book shall be prepared and disseminated to all LGUs and 
congressional districts to assist them in the implementation of the VNB 
program. 
SECTION 14. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to implement the 
provisions of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations 
Act. 
The LGUs shall likewise allocate the necessary funds for 
the 
implementation of the VNB program. 
SECTION 15. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) - The PNVSCA, in 
consultation with the MSAB, the DSWD, the HUDCC, the DILG, the DOF and 
the DBM, shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) 
necessary to implement this Act within sixty (60) clays after its effectivity. 
SECTION 16. Separability Clause. -
If any provision of this Act is 
declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof which are not 
affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect. 
SECTION 17. Repealing Clause. -
Any law, presidential decree or 
issuance, executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or 
regulation contrary to or inconsistent with any provision of this Act is hereby 
repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 


SECTION 18. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) 
days after its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper 
of general circulation. 
Approved,