The United States Peace Corps in the Philippines earlier this week (July 14) welcomed the arrival in Manila of 48 American Volunteers and seven short-term Response Volunteers who will serve alongside Filipino partners to support education, youth development, and natural resource management programs in communities across Luzon and the Visayas, the US Embassy in Manila said in a news release.
The arrival of this latest batch brings the total number of Peace Corps volunteers currently in the country to 140—the largest cohort serving together in the Philippines since 2020.
The 48 new Peace Corps volunteers will serve host communities for two years, co-teaching English in public elementary and secondary schools, facilitating youth development programs in Department of Social Welfare and Development-accredited organizations and residential shelters, and supporting local governments in establishing marine protected areas and strengthening coastal resource management.
Meanwhile, response volunteers will carry out specialized, short-term assignments with government agencies and NGOs, typically lasting 7 to 12 months. These professionals bring their expertise to support high-impact projects in disaster risk reduction, solid waste management, and education.
The volunteers will be assigned in the following provinces: 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 will undertake 11 weeks of language, technical, and cultural training prior to deployment.
“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.”
For his part, Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency Executive Director Donald James Gawe expressed confidence that the new American volunteers will “continue to serve as builders of hope and catalysts of change.” “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 percent completion rate,” he said.
Aged between 22 and 67, the newly arrived American volunteers represent the 282nd batch of Peace Corps volunteers and 55th batch of Response volunteers to be deployed upon the invitation of the Philippine government. Together, they bring diverse experiences, technical skills, and a shared commitment to learn about the Philippines, contribute to locally-led development efforts, and create a positive impact in the lives of Filipinos.
The Philippines is the second oldest US Peace Corps program in the world. Since 1961, more than 9,500 Americans have served alongside Filipino community members in support of government and community development priorities.
