Philippines Volunteer Programs from $26/day | Most Affordable & Trusted

Volunteering through IVHQ in the Philippines was one of the most rewarding and eye-opening experiences I’ve ever had. I joined the healthcare project and spent my time supporting local clinics and learning firsthand about the challenges and strengths of the Philippine healthcare system. From day one, I felt welcomed, safe, and supported — both by the IVHQ team and the amazing local staff on the ground.

One of the most impactful parts of the program was how involved and attentive the local team in the Philippines was. They made sure we had everything we needed, checked in regularly, and were always available for questions or concerns. Their dedication to both the volunteers and the local communities made the entire experience more meaningful and effective.

During the placement, I worked alongside local healthcare professionals and had the chance to assist with basic medical tasks, help with health education, and observe procedures. The staff were incredibly generous with their knowledge and always encouraged us to learn and participate. I also gained a deeper appreciation for the resilience and resourcefulness of the medical teams working in sometimes limited conditions.

Beyond the work itself, the people I met — both locals and fellow volunteers — made the experience unforgettable. Also the living arrangements and meals were really nice.

I highly recommend the IVHQ Philippines healthcare program to anyone looking to make a difference while gaining valuable insight into global healthcare. You’ll give a lot — but you’ll receive even more in return.

Sometimes the biggest reward comes with stepping out of your comfort zone. Although this is true with most big adventures IVHQ made the process so much easier and the outcome was totally amazing. I'm so looking forward to doing it again, I'm already checking my calendar to see what fits. The school where I taught was great and the kids were the BEST. The local team was there whenever you needed them and were very well organized. The location was beautiful and the sunrise beach walks were breathtaking. We had some wonderful nighttime activities and the friendships will always be remembered.

I’ve done 7 volunteer trips, 2 with IVHQ now and this experience was one of the best ever. And for so many reasons.

First of all, it’s the Philippines, one of the most beautiful island nations in the world The village, Tigman is on Palawan island, a quick hop from Manila, with all the pristine beaches we’ve all seen pictures of, but need to see firs hand.

The work itself, I did construction and renovation, was incredibly rewarding. We were building a brick wall near the school to keep little ones away from the ocean, and each day we could see the progress we made. Other volunteers were teaching at the village school or doing mangrove conservation and each evening we would all compare notes on what we accomplished.

The Local Team was the best I’ve experienced to date. Incredibly warm, inviting, appreciative of our contributions and genuinely lovely people trying to make a difference in their own country. They looked out for us, took our feedback with grace and made adjustment on the fly if volunteers wanted to get a taste of the other programs as well.

Finally, the other volunteers made it so fun! Ozzies, Brits, French, German, Israeli, American and Canadian (myself). Every night we would play games, go to the pub and were constantly laughing. Lifelong friends were made on this trip. (I’m Canadian so I appreciated the heat in January when it’s 25 at home!)

As is often the case, a bunch of us went to see what Palawan has to offer on the weekend and the Local Team hooked u up with affordable transportation to the beautiful Puerto Princesa and El Nido – scuba diving, snorkeling, island hopping …

I was hesitant at the start, pondering about all the negative things that could possibly happen on this trip. Especially when it was my first time ever traveling overseas and being 20+ hours away from home, and being on an island without knowing anyone. But I decided to go along with it despite the fear of the unknown, and will say that I’m glad I did. I did two weeks in the Philippines doing healthcare and the staff were wonderful and very attentive from the start at pickup at the airport till the end of my departure. They were always doing there best to exceed expectations and meet everyone’s needs to ensure everyone was comfortable and felt welcomed. The people who I have the privilege to be around with during my volunteering were definitely the greatest people that made this trip ten-times worthwhile! I will never forget the great experiences that came with volunteering at the Philippines.

Going into a volunteer experience you never really know what to expect and if your ever truly prepared for what your about to experience. I can happily say that the team at International Volunteer HQ provides you with so much support and guidance not only prior to your volunteer experience but during and after as well. Our volunteer experience was nothing short of amazing, the program we participated in was so fulfilling, the other volunteers we met will be lifelong friends and the local team were so helpful and caring. It really does just inspire you to be the absolute best person and make a difference where you can. To be experiencing something that can be so heavy, my heart is so full and I can’t wait to do another volunteer trip with IVHQ.

I recently had the privilege of joining a teaching volunteer program in the Philippines, and it was truly a life-changing experience. From the moment I arrived, I felt warmly welcomed by the local team, who went above and beyond to provide support, not only for lesson planning but also for cultural immersion and weekend trips to explore the local area.

Teaching elementary students was both challenging and rewarding. The children were eager to learn and full of energy, making every moment in the classroom a joy. I especially loved the creative freedom I had to design lessons that were engaging and fun. The sense of accomplishment I felt when students grasped new concepts was unmatched.

That said, it’s important to note that the accommodation is very rural and secluded, with not much going on in the immediate area. This can be both a blessing and a challenge. I recommend bringing a laptop, books, or card games to keep yourself entertained during downtime. Joining in with others and making your own fun can make the experience more enjoyable.

The program also gave me the opportunity to experience Filipino culture firsthand. From practicing Tagalog with the locals to trying traditional dishes and celebrating community events, I truly felt immersed in the vibrant culture. The kindness and hospitality of the Filipino people made the entire experience unforgettable.

Overall, despite the rural location, this volunteer program exceeded all my expectations. Not only did it allow me to make a positive impact on the community, but it also helped me grow as a person by teaching me resilience, adaptability, and the value of meaningful connections. I highly recommend this program to anyone looking for a fulfilling and enriching volunteer experience.

My experience with IVHQ in Palawan, Philippines was nothing short of amazing. Through completing the environmental program with the local team I truly felt that I made a positive impact, whilst also being able to connect with the fellow volunteers and locals in the area. Throughout the process, everyone was very friendly and helpful, from my program manager to the local team in Palawan. Additionally, the process went smoothly and the accommodation/meals provided/daily timetable was exactly like what it stated on the IVHQ website. I would say that this experience was worth every penny and I am looking forward to applying for another volunteer program with IVHQ.

I went to the Philippines to volunteer to teach kids in a local school and it was one of the best experiences. It was an amazing experience to be a part of and I met some great people along the way. The team was supportive once I arrived and guided us through everything, from the airport pickup to creating our teaching programs. Would highly recommend going for even one week just to experience the local life and culture. You'll definitely make some amazing memories and meet interesting people from all over the world.