SU hosts PNVSCA volunteerism forum

Silliman University (SU) hosted the “Forum on Volunteerism in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)” of the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA), September 8, 2022 at Silliman Hall.

PNVSCA organized the forum to promote volunteering for development among higher education institutions (HEIs).

Donald James Gawe, PNVSCA Executive Director, said HEIs are allies of the PNVSCA in ensuring that volunteering as a developmental strategy becomes mainstream.

Aside from providing volunteerism opportunities and integrating volunteerism into the curriculum, Gawe emphasized the need for HEIs to assess their existing volunteerism efforts to make sure that they are efficient, purposive, and structured.

Gawe also talked about the importance of volunteering and the PNVSCA’s priority programs, which include continuously establishing partnerships with academic institutions to mainstream volunteerism and create volunteering for development learning hubs.

Novee Maestrecampo Jr., SU Office of Community Engagement and Service-Learning (OCESL) OIC director, said: “Silliman University, through OCESL, is establishing a partnership with PNSVCA to promote volunteerism for development. OCESL looks forward to engaging the Silliman University community to volunteer for causes that address community needs.”

During the forum, Maestrecampo discussed how volunteerism is part of the whole person education offered at SU because academic programs at the University incorporate service-learning and community engagement activities.

“The community represents the wider environment for both faculty members and students to apply classroom concepts and theories through extension or service-learning,” he said.

Maestrecampo said the community is also a learning venue for learners to foster a sense of social responsibility and enhance their people-oriented mindset through volunteerism.

Julio Ventolero, Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) Student Affairs and Services director and National Service Training Program director, also shared NORSU’s previous community engagement and volunteering initiatives.

Reporting portal

Jhan Bhenedict Gamba, PNVSCA information systems analyst, introduced the Volunteer Engagement in the Public Sector (VEPS) Reporting Portal during the forum. 

The VEPS Reporting Portal is a website where government agencies and local government units can document and report their volunteering activities to the PNVSCA through an online form.

Through the Portal, the PNVSCA can also monitor the volunteer assistance of the private sector in the implementation of government programs and projects.

PNVSCA is the government agency mandated to promote and coordinate volunteer programs and services in the Philippines.

Attendees of the “Forum on Volunteerism in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)” of the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA), September 8, 2022 at Silliman Hall