Hosted by International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

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

Name: Philippines Volunteer Programs from $26/day | Most Affordable & Trusted
Brand: International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ
SKU: 52323
Rating: 4.89 (65 reviews)

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4.89 Rating

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Location

Philippines

Length

1 to 24 weeks

Project Types

Childcare Community Development Building Projects Environmental Conservation Education Teaching

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Program Details

Language

English

Timeframe

Spring Break Summer Winter Year Round

Housing

Lodge

Travel Type

Budget Family Older Travelers Solo Women

Pricing

Starting Price

380

Price Details

Fully hosted experience from only $380 for 1 week - this includes accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, orientation and 24/7 in-country support.

What's Included

Accommodation Some Activities Airport Transfers Meals

What's Not Included

Airfare Travel Insurance Visa

Last Updated: May 01, 2024

Last Reviewed: May 29, 2025

Wish List

53 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Trusted by 136,000+ volunteers, IVHQ offers the world's #1 rated volunteer programs in Philippines and 50+ destinations worldwide.

For the past 6 years, we've won the "Top Volunteer Abroad Provider Award" from GoOverseas, so you can trust that you're in the safest hands with IVHQ in Philippines.

Our affordable projects start from $26/day for your accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, project placement and local support. Projects run year-round, with durations from 1-24 weeks. Choose from 4 projects, ranging from Teaching, Kindergarten and Environmental in Palawan, an archipelagic province. Plus, you’ll stay with other like-minded, impact-focused travelers from around the world (private room options available).

With IVHQ’s superior pre-departure support services, you’ll gain exclusive access to your own Volunteer Travel Specialist, comprehensive preparation tools and volunteer training before you leave home.

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Video and Photos

Affordable Volunteer Programs in The Philippines $270

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Program Highlights

Cheapest volunteer programs from $26/day for your accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, project placement & local support.
Volunteer for 1-24 weeks, year round start dates most Mondays.
15+ years experience & only B Corp certified volunteer travel organization.
Get free changes up to 14 days before you start with our flexible booking policy.
Affordable way to earn college credit - gain 5 credits for only US$500!

Popular Programs

Construction & Renovation Volunteer in the Philippines

Construction & Renovation Volunteer in Philippines

Transform schools, daycare centers, and medical facilities in the Philippines with IVHQ's Construction and Renovation volunteer project in Palawan. Help with renovations, restoration, painting, and carpentry to create functional and beautiful spaces for under-resourced communities.

Environmental Conservation Volunteer

Protect Palawan’s pristine natural environment as an Environmental volunteer! Rehabilitate mangroves, clean up beaches, and promote eco-education in local schools. Make a meaningful impact on the local marine and bird life by restoring vital habitats and protecting the shoreline.

Kindergarten Volunteer in the Philippines

Help provide quality education to under-resourced kindergartens in the Philippines as a volunteer. Follow the government curriculum in an exciting way, with an essential focus on fun. Volunteers can also conduct special classes during holiday periods, providing an opportunity to be creative and flexible.

Program Reviews

4.89 Rating

based on 65 reviews

Leave a Review

Rating Spread Volunteer

5 rating 92.31%
4 rating 6.15%
3 rating 0%
2 rating 1.54%
1 rating 0%

Impact 4.65
Support 4.9
Fun 4.8
Value 4.6
Safety 4.9

Good for Solo Travelers, Adventure travelers, Students

Showing 65 - 65 of 65 reviews

The Philippines program is relatively new for IVHQ in the sense that it is now managed by Green Lion - this is a critical point as the Philippines program does appear to require a greater focus by the volunteers themselves as there is less structure to each of the placements (I only did teaching, but was told about the other placements by other volunteers).

You should only volunteer in the Philippines if you are willing to take ownership for your placement and put the effort in - do not expect everything to be done for you, because it won't be. Another key thing - don't bring any expectations of the placement with you.

I was fortunate in that I received a lot of support from the co-ordinator (Kim), as well as from the staff at the school. I was afforded the freedom to dictate my own hours and classes to attend, so I sought assistance from the head teacher to make a timetable of classes to be involved in.

In the weekends, you have the opportunity to explore - #1 tip is to book early. Flights in particular increase in price the closer you get to departure; other things may sell out.

Finally, always remember - you only get out what you put in.

What would you improve about this program?

Increased structure and funding - The Green Lion foundation needs more funding/support to improve the Philippines program.

Response from International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

Hi Robert, thank you or your insight on the program in the Philippines. It sounds as though you had the best attitude towards your time volunteering. Thanks for being an IVHQer!

By IVHQ on October 15, 2015

Questions & Answers

Are there projects that allow me to bring my 6 month old with me?

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Do you have to pay your own airfare there?

Hi Jose, Volunteers are required to pay for their own flights. We know that flights can be one of your biggest costs when preparing for a volunteer trip abroad, so to help overcome this we have partnered with STA Travel to create flight itineraries and special offers, especially for IVHQ volunteers. Jordan McFadyen IVHQ Community Manager

By IVHQ on December 4, 2017

I would particularly like to have the Saturdays off. Do I have that option to be as flexible with how I spend my weekends on the Programme?

It's very safe, the staff take good care of you. Also, what you do on the weekend is completely up to you. There's so many options.

By Susmitha Bathula on November 14, 2017

How safe is this area?

The area is really safe. The northern part of Palawan is actually a known place of peace in the Philippines and the crime rates are really low. The village that this program takes place in is very small and wonderful but traveling around the island is also safe.

By Kaylor MacLaughlin on February 5, 2018

See all 2 answers

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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

After living in Manila for two years, I was looking for a new challenge or experience to give myself purpose. I was in the position that I may not have again, where I had free time to do something meaningful and give back to the place I had been calling home. When I saw there was a program in Palawan, not too far from Manila, I saw it as a perfect opportunity.

What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

IVHQ made the application process easy and straight forward. Probably unlike a lot of people, my decision to volunteer was spontaneous and fast moving. I applied in June ready to go at the beginning of August, but the information and advice was clear from the start. The program provider offered to assist with flights, insurance, etc., but as I was already living in the Philippines, this was easy to arrange myself. They responded quickly to any questions I had.

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What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

Go with an open mind and a positive attitude. I once read a quote that said, “The difference between an adventure and an ordeal is your attitude”, and I think this is the most relevant piece of advice I can give. The culture may be different to what you are used to; the way of living, accommodation, and food will most definitely be different. If you don't embrace the change, you will lose out on the adventures.

The experience as a whole is invaluable and life changing. Some people go with a clear reason or purpose of what they want to accomplish – I didn't – but at the end of the program, I knew that whatever it was I came for, I had definitely found it.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

I was a volunteer on the construction and renovation project. The average week was Monday – Friday volunteering; a few hours in the morning after breakfast, a break for lunch, and then a few hours after lunch. The day ends around 3 PM.

Renovation and construction projects can differ. When I volunteered, we were building a walkway and a septic tank. It was a lot of physical labor in the hot sun, but I learnt a lot of new skills, and it was worth it to see a finished outcome. The weekends are free for volunteers to explore the local areas or travel to different islands in the Philippines.

The Philippines has endless things to offer, and there are always like-minded people on the program who are there as travel buddies and friends.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

I had lots of fears before leaving; probably more that I had overthought that were totally unnecessary. Would I be older than everyone else on their gap years? Who would I share a room with? Would I be able to eat as a vegetarian? Would I be strong enough to do construction? The only girl? All of it was unnecessary!

As soon as I arrived, everyone was so welcoming. The stories you hear from people all over the world are eye-opening. The food was catered for everyone, and I never went hungry. The girls I shared a room with were amazing, and we all felt the same.

The volunteering was for every ability, and you will never know what you can do unless you just try. As for the age thing... yes, I happened to be the oldest one there at the time, but it made absolutely no difference. Age is just a number, and not one person had the same story. You can only overcome your fears by giving it a chance. Take it day by day.

Nikola Duncanova

2018 Alum

Deanne Berarducci

2017 Alum

Location

Location:

Philippines

Currency:

Philippine Peso

Weather:

Jan-Mar

93 F / 54 F

Apr-Jun

93 F / 59 F

Jul-Sep

90 F / 59 F

Oct-Dec

90 F / 55 F

Airports:

Ninoy Aquino International

( MNL )

The Philippines being an archipelago comprised of over 7,000 islands lends itself well to a melting pot of diversity with different cultures and customs on each island. The Filipino people are known for the hospitality and will happily tell you the best islands for each activity; from sky-diving at Bantayan island to the untouched Caramoan island, you can't go wrong.

About International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) brings people together from all walks of life to make a difference on the adventure of a lifetime. We offer the world’s #1 rated and largest range of volunteer programs with 300+ projects across 40+ countries - from teaching and working with children to medical missions, conservation and wildlife volunteering. For...