Volunteer Abroad in the Philippines

“It’s more fun in the Philippines.” You’ll see this tourism slogan everywhere from the moment you first touch down in the Philippines. While you may at first ask yourself why this Southeast Asian island country makes this somewhat audacious claim about itself, you will soon see why it does. Simply put, it IS more fun in the Philippines. The people are some of the world’s friendliest, you’re never far from the beach, and all the country’s 7,000 islands have interesting places to visit and culture to explore. All of this ensures you’ll have a blast while you volunteer abroad in the Philippines.

Volunteer with a Philippine registered non-profit for 2 wks for $799

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Frequently Asked Questions

To volunteer in the Philippines, think about where you want to go and want kind of project you want to focus on. Once you've set your goals, you can apply to appropraite programs via GoAbroad.com.

11 Comprehensive Volunteer Opportunities in the Philippines

You can volunteer almost anywhere in the Philippines! Some of the most popular places for volunteering include Manila, Cebu, Puerto Princesa, Tacloban, and rural areas around the country.

8 Best Places to Volunteer in the Philippines

Short term volunteering in the Philippines can be done on a tourist visa, which is granted upon arrival for most nationalities. If your program is longer than 6 months, your advisor can help you determine if you need a non-immigrant visa instead.

International Visas: What You Need to Know

To become a volunteer teacher in the Philippines, you'll need to be fluent in English, pay program fees, and provide parental consent if you're 18 or younger. In many cases, you'll also need to provide a background check to your program provider.

How to Volunteer in Another Country

Latest Program Reviews

Teaching in Philippines!

May 06, 2025by: Theo S - FranceProgram: Primary School English Teaching in Aborlan, Philippines

My trip to the Philippines was extraordinary, I was in the education program. This experience allowed me to discover a culture but also to help others on my scale. I recommend this program the local team was caring and always there to listen to you and the food was very good as was the accommodation.

Teaching in Philippines!

May 06, 2025by: Theo S - FranceProgram: Primary School English Teaching in Aborlan, Philippines

Do it!

April 28, 2025by: Angela Radford - United StatesProgram: Worlds #1 Volunteer Programs. 40+ Countries from $20/day!

An amazing experience from start to finish! I felt safe and well supported by the team. So grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow while helping others. The art, history, and culture in Guatemala Thank you so much!Is not to be missed.

A Guide to Volunteering Abroad in Philippines

Best Locations

Being an island nation, it’s often best to think about where to volunteer abroad in the Philippines in terms of which island to volunteer on. Here are some of the best islands for volunteers in the Philippines:

Luzon is the northernmost main island of the Philippines, with the largest size and biggest population. On Luzon you can find Manila, the country’s capital city and economic hub. Manila has culture galore, from the historic Intramuros area built by the Spanish colonial government in the 16th century, to the chic restaurants and clubs of Bonifacio Global City.

Cebu island is home to Cebu City, the oldest city in the Philippines, and the country’s first capital. While volunteering in the Philippines on Cebu, volunteers can explore the Spanish colonial architecture and artifacts of the city. Plus, Cebu is only a quick island hop away from the Chocolate Hills, a range of enchanting conical hills on Bohol island.

On Leyte island, you can find Tacloban City, one of the fastest-growing cities in the Philippines and the largest city in the Eastern Visayas region. From caring for children to protecting the environment, this city offers a plethora of programs for interested volunteers.

Common Causes

There are plenty of volunteer projects in the Philippines where you can make a positive difference. Since the country struggles with inequality in economic distribution, frequently faces typhoons and tsunamis, and lacks infrastructure in many places, there is high demand for volunteers in the Philippines.

Teaching English. While English is one of the Philippines’ official languages, and many Filipinos speak fluent English, some parts of the country still lack English teachers. There are volunteer programs in the Philippines placing English-speaking foreigners in communities that need greater access to English education.

Community Development. As the Philippines’ population and economy grow, the country needs assistance developing its communities through projects like building houses and schools, coaching children’s sports, and working in medical facilities and women’s shelters. There are also options likely to pop up after the country’s tragically frequent natural disasters. If none of these are your cup o’ dalandan (mandarin juice), there are many other ways to help community development while volunteering abroad in the Philippines.

Conservation. As a mega-biodiverse country, there are conservation missions you can join to protect the Philippines’ mind-blowing array of life. Conservation volunteer opportunities in the Philippines include coral research and renewable energy.

Anticipated Costs

Compared to the United States and other developed countries, the cost of living in the Philippines can seem like a better bargain than the $150 50-inch flat screen TV on Black Friday. A simple meal out can cost less than $2, and a beer or soda less than $1. Domestic travel can be quite affordable too, with many promotions on flights. If you have more time than money, you can also look into ferries between the islands. To help fund volunteering in the Philippines, you can also create a FundMyTravel account or look into GoAbroad’s scholarship options.

GoAbroad's Inside Scoop

While there are infinite reasons to volunteer in the Philippines (as there are for anywhere!), one that shouldn’t be overlooked is the warmth and friendliness of the Filipino people. Filipinos are extremely welcoming and particularly enjoy getting to know people from other countries. They are open and curious, so volunteers shouldn’t be intimidated if they get asked lots of questions! The icing on the cake is that so many Filipinos speak good-to-fluent English, so you don’t have to worry too much about that pesky language barrier while making Filipino friends, as you would have to in many of the Philippines’ Southeast Asian neighbors.

When taking part in volunteer programs in the Philippines, you‘re not just helping those in need, but also having a tremendous opportunity to learn about the way of life in another part of the world, and maybe also about yourself and your passions. When volunteers return home from abroad they often realize that they’ve taken even more from the country in terms of wisdom and experience than they’ve even given in their volunteer work. Plus, when you’re volunteering abroad in the Philippines, you’ll be having more fun doing it!