THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator Richard J. Gordon * 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
It is the policy of the State to inculcate patriotism and nationalism, and encourage the 
involvement of the people in 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 governmental 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 interests 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, and 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 from the ashes of its present fiscal difficulty. 
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 governmental entities, including voluntary associations, social service 
agencies, educational institutions, and other civic programs, are adversely affected. The 
contribution of these non-profit organizations ana 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 of 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 governmental entity. It also 
allows the giving of a token of recognition after the accomplishment of volunteer work, to the 
volunteer, for services rendered in a non-profit organization or governmental entity. Such 
measures reflect the protection and importanc 
eserve for performing a 
service crucial to the development of the nation. 


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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
IT14 PW 24 P 3 :?[I 
First Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator Richard J. Gordon 
AN ACT TO ENCOURAGE VOLUNTEERISM BY PROVIDING PROTECTION FROM 
GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES AND ALLOWING THE GRANT OF INCENTlVES 
THEREFOR 
LIABILITY OF VOLUNTEERS SERVING IN NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND 
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 Act.” 
Sec. 2. Policy, - It is hereby declared to be the policy of the State to encourage 
volunteerism by providing protection from liability of volunteers serving in non-profit 
organizations and governmental entities and allowing the grant of incentives therefor. 
Sec. 3. Definitions. - For purposes of this Act, 
(1) “Volunteer” refers to an individual serving in a non-profit organization or a 
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. 
(4) “Fraud” refers to a false representation of a fact, which deceives another person 
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 
reqklessness or willful disregard of the consequences as affecting another person and 
causing him or her legal injury. 


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(6) “Crime” refers to an act or omission punishable by law. 
Sec. 4. Diligence in the Selecfion 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 Profecfion for Volunteers. - No volunteer shall be 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. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following the 
completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation 
in the Philippines. 
Approved,