A new batch of 48 American and seven response volunteers has been deployed to the Philippines by the United States Peace Corps (USPC) to help communities improve education, support youth programs, and protect coastal resources across Luzon and the Visayas.
They arrived in Manila on July 14 and will work directly with public schools, local governments, and non-government organizations to assist in programs identified by Philippine partners.
The newly arrived Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) will serve for two years. They will co-teach English in elementary and secondary schools, help run youth development programs under the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and support marine conservation efforts through local government units.
The Response Volunteers (RVs) will take on specialized short-term assignments lasting seven to 12 months. They will focus on disaster risk reduction, solid waste management, and education projects.
“I am pleased to welcome our newest volunteers to the Philippines. Their joint arrival symbolizes our renewed momentum since the pandemic and reflects our deepening collaboration with local partner institutions and Filipino communities,” said Peace Corps Philippines Country Director Marguerite Roy.
“I look forward to seeing how each volunteer will build meaningful relationships and contribute to community-led initiatives throughout their service,” she added.
Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency Executive Director Donald James Gawe said he is hopeful the Volunteers will finish their service and make a lasting difference.
“Thank you for choosing the Philippines for your Volunteer work. I wish you success and trust that your batch will have a meaningful volunteering experience and reach a 100% completion rate,” he said.
The 55 American Volunteers, aged 22 to 67, will undergo 11 weeks of training before their deployment to communities in Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Bataan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Camarines Sur, Aklan, Antique, Guimaras, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Bohol, Cebu, and Leyte.
They represent the 282nd batch of Peace Corps Volunteers and 55th batch of Response Volunteers invited by the Philippine government. Their arrival brings the current number of Peace Corps Volunteers in the country to 140—the largest group since 2020.
“Thank you for choosing the Philippines for your Volunteer work,” Gawe told the group.
“I wish you success and trust that your batch will have a meaningful volunteering experience and reach a 100% completion rate,” he added.
The Philippines is home to the second oldest Peace Corps program in the world. Since 1961, more than 9,500 Americans have served in the country.
