The Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) conducted its 9th Regional Volunteerism Focal Persons Link (RVFPL) Meeting on 17 February 2025 via Zoom, as part of the agency’s continuing strategy to enhance coordination and strengthen partnership. This meeting highlighted the importance of strengthened collaboration with regional volunteerism focal persons in further promoting the role of volunteerism towards national development. The meeting was attended by designated volunteerism focal persons from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Offices, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority – Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BPDA-BARMM), who serves as PNVSCA’s counterpart focal persons per region.
The event began with an introduction of participants from various regions, along with the PNVSCA counterpart regional focal persons. Mr. Kenneth C. Siruelo, the Chief of the Policy, Advocacy, and Technical Services Division (PATSD) of PNVSCA, delivered an opening message that emphasized the importance of volunteerism and the central role of regional focal persons in facilitating socioeconomic development. He underscored that volunteerism not only drives positive change at the local level but also contributes to national growth by enhancing community welfare and supporting public service initiatives.
A key highlight of the meeting, led by Ms. Maribel F. Larracochea, Senior Volunteer Service Officer (Sr. VSO) of PATSD, was the presentation of PNVSCA’s Priority Thrusts for 2025. These thrusts include: 1) strengthening strategic communications; 2) prioritization of technical assistance; 3) expansion and strengthening partnerships; 4) enhancement of program coordination mechanisms; 5) building knowledge management process and system; and 6) intensifying monitoring and evaluation efforts. The meeting also provided an update on the international volunteer program, an important component of PNVSCA’s initiatives.
The Regional Volunteerism Focal Persons (RVFPs) also provided a brief update on their volunteering initiatives per region, including implementation of the Search for Outstanding Volunteers (SOV), status of implementation/proposed Regional Development Council (RDC) resolution on mainstreaming volunteerism as a development strategy, and engagement of international volunteers, among others.
Moving forward, PNVSCA shared the key activities and events planned for the first quarter of 2025, aimed at deepening the engagement of various sectors in volunteerism. These include a series of online forums and training sessions focusing on volunteerism in the water sector, gender and development and volunteerism, and literacy improvement among basic education learners. These forums will offer a platform for stakeholders to share knowledge, discuss challenges, and explore new strategies for leveraging volunteer efforts. These initiatives are part of PNVSCA’s broader commitment to enhancing volunteerism throughout the country, ensuring that it continues to thrive and make a lasting impact on both local communities and national development.
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For more information on the article, please contact Ms. Arianne Rose C. Maghanoy, Volunteer Service Officer I of the Policy, Advocacy and Technical Services Division (PATSD), Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency, through email at [email protected] or mobile/viber number: 0921-5796759.
Visit PNVSCA website (www.pnvsca.gov.ph) and PNVSCA Facebook (facebook.com/PNVSCA) for other stories and information on volunteering.