VSO Philippines

02/10/2026

💡𝐃𝐈𝐃 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖?

2026 is the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development. Proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly, IVY 2026 recognizes the vital role of volunteers in advancing sustainable development and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The year also calls for stronger systems for volunteer engagement, fewer barriers to volunteering, and initiatives that are safe, inclusive, and responsive to community needs.

VSO recognizes that volunteers are at the heart of sustainable development. Through their time, skills, experiences, and commitment, volunteers work alongside communities to create meaningful and lasting change.

11/09/2026

Please Read: Nepal Floods Emergency Appeal 🇳🇵

You'll have seen the pictures in the news. Whole hillsides swept away. Homes reduced to mud. Families searching for the people they love.

Devastating flash floods have torn through communities along Nepal's Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river corridors. More than 1,000 people have lost their lives. Over 4,000 people are still missing.

Local VSO volunteers are on the ground in flood-hit communities.

They know every village, every family, every passable road. What they don't have are the supplies to act. They need emergency funding.

Your donation today to our emergency appeal will equip them to save lives.

Visit our website now and help our volunteers reach the people who need us most: https://bit.ly/4ynvvYC

04/08/2026

The Learning and Sustainability Convergence for Indigenous Peoples/Indigenous Cultural Communities and GIDA Communities on Resilience, Green Livelihoods, Inclusive Governance, and Ancestral Domain-Based Development, convened by Ecosystems Work for Essential Benefits (ECOWEB), Inc., gathered development partners and community organizations in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, on July 30–31, 2026. The two-day activity is designed as a strategic space for community-led learning, responsible project transition, partnership-building, and agreement on concrete actions to sustain and expand locally led initiatives.

As one of the participating organizations, VSO Philippines set up an exhibit booth showcasing its advocacies and community-driven initiatives. Through the 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 (𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗘) Project, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), VSO highlighted its work in strengthening active citizenship, inclusive governance, and the resilience of marginalized communities. The booth also featured products from Civil Society Groups supported by the project, including Sigay Nu Mga Babay Inc., Magungaya Farmers and Fisherfolk Association, Ungaya Nu Mga Babay Association, and Kawagib Women Agro-Entrepreneurs Association.

The booth also featured information on the 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (G-PACT) Project, a European Union co-funded initiative that supports the localization and implementation of the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (NAPWPS). Booth visitors received Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials, including NAPWPS comics, to help raise awareness of the Women, Peace, and Security agenda.

In addition, the booth highlighted VSO's 𝗦𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗞 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗻, encouraging participants to and embrace volunteering as a meaningful way to strengthen communities, promote active citizenship, and drive positive social change.

20/07/2026

For over a decade, Vilma has stepped up and stepped out as a true champion for the volunteer movement. 💜

Her goal? To contribute to something bigger than herself. Her single spark has ignited a global journey of profound impact that will last for years to come.

Throughout her years with VSO, Vilma has contributed to change across borders. From strengthening youth livelihoods in Kenya, supporting communities in Ethiopia, mentoring in Bangladesh, and championing peace and social cohesion closer to home in the Philippines. She's done it all! 🌏

Thinking back to her volunteer journey, she shared that meeting grassroots women leaders who defied incredible hardships to serve others completely was particularly transformative for her.

Volunteering isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about showing up with compassion, listening closely, and standing in solidarity.

Tell us your volunteer story in the comments. 👇

20/07/2026

We’ve been working in the Philippines since 1964, and it's safe to say we've made our mark. 💜

Volunteers are continuing to carry out amazing work, from resilient climate action to peace building initiatives.

What country would you like to see us share next? Comment below!

10/07/2026

𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗: 𝗚-𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗧 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗼 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻, 𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮

𝐁𝐀𝐆𝐔𝐈𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘, 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 — 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟗, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 — Stakeholders from government institutions, civil society organizations (CSOs), development partners, and local leaders convened in Baguio City for a Learning Circle aimed at strengthening efforts toward the localization of the National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security (NAPWPS).

Conducted under the 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐆-𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐓) 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭, an EU-funded initiative, the activity brought together implementing partners, the Local Chief Executives of San Agustin and Marihatag, Surigao del Sur, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) Regional Field Office in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), the Regional Gender and Development Committee–Cordillera Administrative Region (RGADC-CAR), the VSO team, and other key stakeholders to exchange knowledge, experiences, and strategies in advancing Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) initiatives.

Mayors Benjamin T. Fazon Jr. of Marihatag and Nicolas Alameda of San Agustin expressed their support for the G-PACT Project and appreciation for the inclusion of their municipalities as pilot communities.

Mayor Fazon shared his interest in gaining a deeper understanding of the project and its potential contributions to his municipality, while Mayor Alameda affirmed his full support for G-PACT implementation.

Both leaders emphasized their commitment to advancing the localization of the WPS agenda by strengthening coordination among local actors, encouraging community participation, and ensuring that peace and development initiatives respond to the realities and needs of their constituents.

Meanwhile, Ma Lisa Dioneda-Moalong, Project Implementation Lead of VSO Philippines, highlighted the significance of conducting the Learning Circle in Baguio City, recognizing CAR as one of the first regions outside the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to initiate the localization of NAPWPS.

Moalong emphasized the importance of strong CSO-government collaboration and the role of networks and partnerships in translating national commitments on WPS into community-level actions.

She also discussed the objectives of the Learning Hub, which include gaining insights from regional, local government, and CSO experiences; understanding the role of civil society in policy localization; identifying lessons from government-CSO collaboration; and strengthening the use of data and monitoring systems to support WPS initiatives. She highlighted the importance of evidence-based approaches, including the development and utilization of dashboards, in tracking progress and improving decision-making.

The OPAPRU Regional Field Office in CAR shared the region’s journey in developing its Regional Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security (RAPWPS). The presentation highlighted the participatory process undertaken through consultations with government agencies, CSOs, and technical working groups to strengthen ownership and collaboration in advancing WPS localization.

OPAPRU also presented the Defenders and Advocates of Youth, Autonomy, and Women (DAYAW) initiative, which aims to strengthen the participation of women, youth, and conflict-affected communities as advocates of peace, security, autonomy, and inclusive development.

Discussions following the presentation focused on challenges and opportunities in localization, including data gathering, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, grassroots participation, and strengthening coordination among stakeholders.

The Regional Gender and Development Committee–CAR (RGADC-CAR) also shared its efforts in institutionalizing gender-responsive governance and supporting WPS initiatives in the region. The presentation highlighted RGADC-CAR’s partnerships, technical working groups, advocacy activities, and monitoring mechanisms that contribute to strengthening gender mainstreaming and policy implementation.

Participants further discussed the importance of establishing regional networks, improving data management systems, and exploring tools such as WPS dashboards to support transparent documentation, monitoring, and evidence-based planning. The discussions emphasized that localized approaches should be grounded in community experiences and supported by sustained collaboration among government institutions, CSOs, and other stakeholders.

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong also joined the activity and shared insights from his administration’s governance experience, emphasizing the importance of transparency, accountability, and data-driven decision-making. He encouraged participants to recognize and build upon the strengths and existing systems of their own communities rather than simply replicate models from other areas.

As part of the learning exchange, participants visited the Baguio City Command Center, an integrated operations and monitoring facility that demonstrates the use of technology and real-time data in supporting public safety, emergency response, traffic management, and local governance. The visit provided valuable insights into how organized data systems can strengthen coordination, accountability, and informed decision-making—similar to the objectives of the WPS Dashboard envisioned under the G-PACT Project.

The Learning Hub was conducted following the G-PACT Project Midterm Review held in Quezon City on June 25–26, 2026, which was led and facilitated by the Mindanao State University–General Santos Institute of Peace and Development in Mindanao (MSU-GSC IPDM) as an independent consultant and third-party evaluator.

The evaluation brought together key stakeholders, including Susana Guadalupe H. Marcaida, Executive Director of OPAPRU; Ada Pesämaa, Programme Officer for Civil Society, Gender Equality, and Youth Empowerment of the European Union Delegation to the Philippines; and Sanne Jansen, Strategic Partnership Lead–EU.

The Midterm Review assessed project progress, identified implementation challenges, and generated recommendations to further strengthen G-PACT interventions and support the localization of the Women, Peace, and Security agenda across project areas.

08/07/2026

08/06/2026

✨️ 𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸: 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 ✨️

For Marufelia Dagondon, volunteerism has been a journey filled with meaningful experiences, challenges, and opportunities to work with communities across different countries and cultures.

Among her most memorable experiences was contributing to the formulation of the first strategic plan for the Partners in Rural Empowerment and Development (PARED) in Ghana. During her placement, the office was able to acquire a desktop computer from an unused unit of Oxfam-Ghana, which was repaired and used for office work. The organization also acquired a refrigerator through income generated from selling cold soda or soft drinks.

In Kenya, Marufelia was involved in the formulation of the Nomotio Livestock Improvement Center in Maralal, Samburu District. Through the process, the cows were traced and it was discovered that some of the animals did not belong to the center. She also helped secure a grant from the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) for the Egalitarian Organization for Poverty Alleviation–Kenya (EOPA-Kenya), providing additional support for its micro-credit fund despite not being part of the bank’s covered beneficiaries.

Another significant experience was her involvement in the formulation of the Makuyu Youth Polytechnic Strategic Plan, the first in Murang’a District. The strategic plan later helped the school obtain a grant from the Ministry of Agriculture for a greenhouse project for vegetable production.

Back in the Philippines, she facilitated the involvement of volunteer organizations in General Santos City during activities for out-of-school youth (OSYs). She also participated in presenting to the Sangguniang Panlungsod to support the passage of an ordinance that would strengthen support from the city local government unit.
Through her volunteer experiences, Marufelia developed a deeper understanding of people from different walks of life and cultures. These experiences inspired her to continue volunteering repeatedly throughout the years.

To encourage others to serve, Marufelia regularly shares her volunteer experiences during pre-departure training for outgoing volunteers. She believes these stories have helped inspire and recruit overseas volunteers. She also values opportunities to connect with returned volunteers during various occasions, including her involvement with Habitat for Humanity Philippines, where many former volunteers continued working with international and local non-governmental organizations.

Today, Marufelia continues her commitment to service as an on-call Emergency Response Team (ERT) volunteer for Americares Philippines, carrying forward the spirit of volunteerism and community engagement that has guided her throughout her journey.

“𝘐 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘮 𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴.” - Words by Marufelia

28/05/2026

25/05/2026