Written by: Tess Bahom

The France Volontaires (FV) Philippines is forging ahead with the deployment of volunteers and has rolled out its deployment plan for 2021 during the bilateral programming meeting with PNVSCA held on 15 February 2021 after the suspension of international volunteers mobilization in the Philippines since the second quarter of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the continued public health threat,

According to FV National Representative, Ms. Nanette Repalpa, they plan to go full-blast in the deployment of volunteers this 2021 in close coordination with the French Embassy in the Philippines. She added that the experience of the FV volunteers who remained in the country during the pandemic has helped FV and the local partner institutions (LPIs) in defining certain adaptation and safety measures for the continuous provision of assistance in the implementation of the programs and projects of the concerned LPIs.

ED Gawe conveyed PNVSCA’s appreciation to FV and the volunteers for opting to stay to continue and complete their assistance to their respective LPIs despite the pandemic which he said best exemplified the true spirit of volunteerism. He then advised FV to be more strategic in the placement of volunteers and reiterated the Agency’s advocacy for the international volunteer program to support in strengthening local volunteerism.

The author is currently the Senior Volunteer Service Officer of the Program Coordination, Monitoring and Evaluation Division (PCMED), Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency.

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