On July 14, the U.S. Peace Corps in the Philippines welcomed a new group of volunteers in Manila. This latest batch includes 48 American Volunteers and seven short-term Response Volunteers. They will work with Filipino partners on education, youth development, and natural resource management programs across Luzon and the Visayas.
This arrival brings the total number of Peace Corps Volunteers in the country to 140, marking the largest group since 2020. The new volunteers will engage in various activities such as co-teaching English, facilitating youth programs, and supporting local governments in marine protection and coastal resource management.
Response Volunteers will focus on specialized assignments with government agencies and NGOs for periods ranging from 7 to 12 months. Their projects include disaster risk reduction, solid waste management, and education.
The volunteers will be stationed in several provinces including Benguet, Ilocos Norte, La Union, Pangasinan, Bataan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Zambales, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Camarines Sur, Aklan, Antique, Guimaras, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Bohol, Cebu, and Leyte. Before deployment to their respective areas of assignment they will undergo 11 weeks of training covering language skills as well as technical knowledge about their tasks ahead along with cultural orientation.
Peace Corps Philippines Country Director Marguerite Roy stated: “I am pleased to welcome our newest Volunteers to the Philippines... I look forward to seeing how each Volunteer will build meaningful relationships and contribute to community-led initiatives throughout their service.”
Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency Executive Director Donald James Gawe expressed confidence that these new American Volunteers would serve effectively: “Thank you for choosing the Philippines for your Volunteer work... I wish you success.”
The newly arrived American Volunteers range from ages 22 to 67 representing both long-term Peace Corps batches along with shorter response teams who were invited by Philippine authorities bringing diverse expertise while sharing common goals aimed at contributing positively towards development efforts within communities they are assigned too
The U.S.-Philippines Peace Corps program is one among oldest globally having commenced operations back during early '60s wherein over nine thousand Americans have participated alongside locals fostering growth aligned towards shared objectives identified jointly between respective stakeholders involved throughout years past up until present day endeavors being undertaken collaboratively