Press Release
December 6, 2011

Senate adopts resolution celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the International Year of Volunteers in the Philippines

The Senate on Monday, adopted a resolution declaring support to the commemoration of the 10th Anniversary of the International Year of Volunteers (IYV) in the Philippines (IYV+10), recognizing the significant role and contributions of volunteers in development and nation-building.

Senate Resolution 281, introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto, also enjoins the public to organize and support various volunteerism projects and activities in the country as a strategy to attain national development by rendering technical and humanitarian services, all in the spirit of volunteerism.

"IYV + 10 will be a fitting gesture to recognize the valuable and priceless time, talents, and energies willingly offered by the countless and nameless volunteers and volunteer groups and organizations for the welfare and upliftment of the life of the disadvantaged and marginalized sectors in the Philippines and encourage the citizenry to continue the Filipino tradition and culture of "bayanihan" thus making volunteerism a way of life," the resolution, filed by Recto, said.

"IYV+10 will also be another window of opportunity to harness volunteer action, showcase and share best practices, develop new and relevant policies and programs and acknowledge the incalculable contributions of volunteers in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and responding to a wide range of development concerns including disaster risk reduction and promotion of global peace," the resolution added.

Spearheaded by the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA), and with the active involvement of government and private sectors, the Philippines participates in IYV celebrations by undertaking various volunteering initiatives and activities which created heightened public awareness of volunteerism and enhanced closer public-private partnership in volunteerism for nation-building.

Convinced that the need for volunteer effort was greater than ever and that a year designed to enhance the recognition, facilitation, networking and promotion of volunteer service could make a significant contribution to generating increased awareness of the achievements and further potential of volunteerism, the UN General Assembly in 1997, proclaimed 2001 as the International Year of Volunteers.

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