Location
  • Philippines
Length
1 to 24 weeks

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
May 01, 2024
Apr 03, 2024
46 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.

Video and Photos

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

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 in the Philippines

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

4.90 Rating
based on 52 reviews
  • 5 rating 94.23%
  • 4 rating 3.85%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 1.92%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 4.65
  • Support 4.95
  • Fun 4.85
  • Value 4.65
  • Safety 4.9
Showing 17 - 24 of 52 reviews
Default avatar
Akash
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Volunteering Program

The experience was beyond AMAZING.Everything from the atmosphere to the co-ordinators.They really put effort in to making the experience as easy and comfortable as possible.The teaching program was perfect and I would recommend this to anyone.The team lead of the organisation will help you on every thing you need, transport, food requirements and even visas.The actual village you volunteer in isn’t close to volunteering spots however the organisation is flexible with taking time off etc to do as you please.

Pros
  • Good Organisation
  • Good Location
  • Brilliant School
Cons
  • Food is hit and miss
43 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Sophie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

3 weeks of construction

I spent 3 weeks on the construction project. The coordinators were always such a great help and I met many incredible people. The experiences I got to make will be with me forever:) during the week I would work on the school projects meaning I got to see and play with the kids aswell and on the weekends we would go on trips as a group.(I recommend el nido) the people I met there turned out to be such close friends and a tight knit group and we always had a blast on and off the projects. The coordinators were more like friends towards us than authority figures. Overall it was just a Great experience

Pros
  • Meeting people
  • Get to know culture
  • Great experiences
Cons
  • Quite empty when i was there
  • Sometimes the power went out
  • Roosters crowing so early in the morning
37 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Cloe
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Kindergarten - 4weeks

I was volunteering there for 4 weeks!
It was an amazing experience. The kids were so lovely, I miss them a lot. The staff was super nice and the food at the camp was cooked by locals, it was delicious!
I really recommend it. During my stay, I went to El nido and Port borton, it was paradise places, don’t hesitate to travel while you are there, there’s so many things to do and see in the Philippines. You will meet many volunteers from all around the world, people you will never forget with different culture.

75 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Jinan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

I know the value of living

I want to Thank IVHQ for letting me have the time of my life, teaching childrens is my passion and volunteer with this program made my life change, i Really recomend everyone to try this experience, you wont be the same after it, huge thanks to IVHQ, to the volunteers, to the staf, to my students that stole my heart since the day i met them, i receved so much love from them that i couldnt repay them, they change my life in so quick and im so thankfull, greatful and happy that i took this challenge and go alone met new people new brothers and Sisters because we became so close in so short of time, this experience cant be expresed in words, life is to short, life sometimes is hard and tough but we should never leave or betrayed this beautiful human heart and make as a rock, we are created to love, yo help each other and to be greatful, so be happy of what you have and give more, life will never betray you.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
The most surprising thing is the love that i receved for this country, the phillipenes is the country of love
64 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Rhea
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Incredible volunteering experience

I volunteered in the Philippines for a week alone through IVHQ and found it to be the most amazing experience. The people that I met from the locals to the staff to the other volunteers are incredible like-minded individuals whom I can now call friends for life. The food was great and accommodation decent- I got the most from my money spent. The place was simply gorgeous and I am thrilled that I was able to explore much of the area as well as contribute helping our world; I had so much fun and I would highly recommend volunteering abroad through IVHQ to everyone. I worked primarily on the environment project and was able to teach and construct too- allowing me to attain a huge range of skills and life lessons alike. On the weekend I was given great guidance to explore the area and am in awe of this beautiful country.

What would you improve about this program?
Absolutely nothing. Other than a heads up I can add extra days when I am there!
61 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Marco
2/5
No, I don't recommend this program

If you are into serious volunteering, stay away from here

Honestly, I spent 2 weeks here and I felt cheated. To begin with, it's very expensive to provide what you are given. I was put with 3 other guys is a very small room, with 2 bunk beds. They definitely took in more people than they could.

I was staying for only 2 weeks and they offered me to spend the first-week doing sightseeing and other touristic things, It didn't look like they needed people for work....
You work for 4 hours a day!!! And sometimes we literally had nothing to do. You get charged more if you are in construction because they need to buy materials, guess what? there was no material available when we were there and they refused to return the money.

When I complained about a few things and gave mediocre feedback, (yes, the feedback is not anonymous) the guy (Miko) that works at the campus started giving me weird looks and snappy answers.
It's a real tourist trap, they waste your time and money.

What would you improve about this program?
Only keep teachers and nurses. The rest is just business
59 people found this review helpful.
Response from International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

Hi Marco,

Thanks for your feedback and I'm sorry to hear that you felt let down by the experience you had with us in the Philippines. Since your time on the program in 2016 a number of changes have taken place, often as a result of volunteers providing us with constructive feedback, and I thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts as well.

I'm sure you can appreciate that given the nature of our programs the environment and living conditions are often not the same as volunteers are used to back home and we do try to set this expectation in the information provided before you arrive.

In regards to your comments around the need for volunteers, we agree that it is important that volunteer travelers ensure that they are taking part in responsible opportunities that make a positive contribution to the communities they visit. We continuously monitor what's happening on the ground and take onboard vital feedback to ensure our programs are contributing to positive outcomes for local people and the community.

Courteney O'Neill
IVHQ Philippines Program Manager

Default avatar
Jayden
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My time with IVHQ in the Philippines

My time with IVHQ in the Philippines was absolutely amazing!! From the scenery of literally working on the beach with the local kids, to the other volunteers who quick become your second family and the amazing staff who go above and beyond to make your time as enjoyable as possible. I couldn’t recommend IVHQ and the Philippines enough, to anyone thinking about going - DO IT!! It’s honestly been one of the most rewarding times in my life.
My only regret is not staying longer..

The weekends are also amazing, often yourself and the other volunteers will go out on adventures to explore new cities and activities. It also works out really good on the budget when a group goes because the price of the transport is split between more people.

With love,
From Australia

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
Definitely spend more time, anyone who is considering how long to go for, the longer the better!! Unfortunately I only signed up for one week and definitely regret that.
60 people found this review helpful.
Response from International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

We appreciate your epic review of the IVHQ Philippines Program. I am stoked to hear you loved volunteering literally on the beach, while making friends with volunteers from all over the world. Sorry to hear about your regret of not staying longer, it just means you'll have to plan another volunteer trip with IVHQ again soon. Sean - IVHQ Program Manager.

Default avatar
Giada
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great adventure in the Philippines

Hi there, my name is Giada and I am from Italy! This year, I volunteered for 7 weeks in the Philippines, in the Kindergarten and the Teaching program.
My first contact with the local staff was amazing, with Miko taking us through the Filipino culture during the orientation week. I had so much fun there and got to know so many international people that I know will be my friends for a long time.
The camp was also pretty amazing, being near a wonderful beach and the accommodation was quite comfortable.
I also loved so much the program! The kids work really hard on their English and they just adore you. I will really miss them all.
Thanks IVHQ for the chance to come to the Philippines and living a dream, which has been a fantastic adventure I could never forget!

What was your funniest moment?
We had so many moments to stay all together with the other volunteers, but the funniest moments were the karaoke nights, where everybody was free to sing and enjoy themselves.
61 people found this review helpful.
Response from International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

Hi Giada, thanks for taking the time to provide your review of the Philippines program, and it's great to hear you thoroughly enjoyed your 7 weeks. It's great to hear you have made friends from all over the globe, while also contributing to the Philippines Kindergarten and Teaching projects. We can't wait for you to volunteer with IVHQ again some time. Sean - IVHQ Program Manager.

Questions & Answers

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

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.

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.