The Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) is the government agency mandated to promote and coordinate volunteer programs and services in the Philippines.

It was created as a committee in 1964 to concretize the Philippine Government’s commitment to the agreement reached during the International Middle Level Manpower Conference held in Puerto Rico in 1962 adopting volunteerism as a tool for socio-economic development.

It became an office in 1973 and then an Agency on 12 December 1980 through Executive Order No. 635. PNVSCA is under the administrative supervision of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

PNVSCA closely works with other government agencies, non-government organizations, the academe, the corporate group, the media and other partners in converging and linking the different volunteering efforts and resources so that they are aligned with national priorities and assist especially the marginalized sectors and communities. PNVSCA takes the lead in advocating and recognizing the contributions of volunteers to nation-building and international cooperation.


PNVSCA Mandate

Promote and coordinate volunteer programs and services in the country to maximize the benefits that may be derived from volunteer assistance and properly gauge the contributions of volunteers to national development and international cooperation. It is for the above reason that PNVSCA is placed as an attached agency of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). PNVSCA as coordinating agency is tasked with the following mandates:

  • Review and formulate policies and guidelines concerning the national volunteer service program consistent with national development priorities;
  • Coordinate, monitor and evaluate the national volunteer service program in order that volunteer assistance may fit into the total national development goals;
  • Act as clearinghouse for matters pertaining to international volunteer services;
  • Develop and implement prototypes and models of volunteering for adoption by institutions and communities;
  • Provide technical services and support for capability-building of volunteers and volunteer organizations;
  • Undertake advocacy for the promotion and recognition of volunteerism as a tool for development;
  • Establish and maintain a national network of volunteer organizations and serve as liaison between and among local and foreign governmental and private voluntary organizations including the United Nations Volunteers (UNV);
  • Administer all PNVSCA funds from all sources including foreign aid in accordance with accounting and auditing requirements.

*Source: RA 9418