Involvement Volunteers International WHY we need you in the Philippines
- Poverty is widespread, with 21.6% of the population in the Philippines living below the poverty line
- Malnutrition is evident, with 1 in 3 children under five having stunted growth, due to lack of a nutritional diet
- The Philippines is prone to natural disasters, which can affect farming and agriculture, one of the main sources of food for many families
- Many poor families have little education and limited access to health services
HIGHLIGHTS
- Trekking to Inuman-Banog Waterfalls and lunch by the water.
- Weaving coconut leaves for house roofing.
- Ugong Rock Adventures: Ziplining, Trekking, and Caving.
- Local life experience, including farming and fishing.
Why Involvement Volunteers International?
- Non Profit Organisation & Charity
- Over 35+ Years Expertise Globally
- Low Program Fees - From US$295
- Excellent Safety Record, In-Country 24/7 Support & Emergency Assistance
- 1 Application Fee - Multiple Countries
PROJECT NAME: SUMMER SPECIAL PHILIPPINES
LOCATION: ABORLAN, PALAWAN
START DATES: 3rd JUN, 1st JUL, 5th AUG
ACCOMMODATION: VOLUNTEER HOUSE
MIN DURATION: 1 WEEK
MIN AGE: 16+
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Criminal background check required
Overview
Embark on a week-long adventure in Palawan, Philippines, immersing yourself in genuine local experiences. On Day 1, Sunday, your journey kicks off with a pickup and transfer to the volunteer house, where a delicious welcome dinner awaits. Day 2 introduces the program with cultural insights, language classes, and hands-on experiences of local life, including farming and fishing, followed by a cultural night.
On Day 3, trek to the Inuman-Banog Waterfalls for lunch by the cascading water. Then, relax and swim in the clear waters of the Agong-Ungay River, ending with a yummy dinner. Day 4 brings a cultural experience as you learn to weave coconut leaves for house roofing. Unwind at Blessie’s Beach Cove, with an option for a soothing massage before dinner.
Day 5 includes sightseeing and fresh seafood purchases at Narra Market, followed by a visit to Batang-batang River Camp. Enjoy a grilled feast for lunch and swim in the pristine waters, leading to a Karaoke Night. Day 6 features a visit to Puerto Princesa Underground River with a buffet lunch at an authentic Filipino restaurant. Adventure awaits at Ugong Rock, offering ziplining, trekking, and caving experiences, followed by dinner at Baywalk Puerto Princesa.
This program is a great way to end a volunteer program and to see some of the sights after your hard work volunteering!
Location
Aborlan, situated in the stunning island of Palawan in the Philippines, known for its lush landscapes and rich biodiversity. Aborlan offers a serene escape for those seeking respite from the bustle of urban life. With its stunning beaches, lush forests, and incredible wildlife, the town invites adventurers and nature enthusiasts to explore its hidden gems. The projects are located approx 45 min outside the main city of Puerto Princesa where you will be warmly welcomed into the community.
Food & Accommodation
The volunteer centre provides rooms shared with 4-8 people per room, with the houses complete with either a fan or air con, T.V, kitchen, wifi (this can be limited sometimes), mosquito protection, bed linen and lockable rooms. Limited laundry facilities, so expect to wash your clothes by hand, unless you’d like to use the laundry service for a small fee.
*Private rooms may be available for a small upgrade, please ask us in advance.
3 meals per day are provided each day (2 on weekends), with mainly local Philippino foods being served, including lots of vegetables, rice, fish, meat and eggs. Meals are served on site at the accommodation.
What's Included
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Accommodation
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3 Meals a day
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Airport Pickup & Drop off
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Local Transportation
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1 Day Orientation
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24/7 In-Country Support
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Project Materials & Equipment
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Activities as per the program
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Pre-departure Expert Advice
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Preperation Tools & Checklists
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Certificate of Completion
- Application fee is one off per person (unlimited placements)
- Click Here to convert the below prices to your local currency
- Discounts may apply if travelling in a pair or group!
- All credit card /international fees included in below pricing! 🙂
Testimonials...
FAQ
This is a fantastic way to explore before or after a volunteer program. Everything is included, so it takes the hassle out of organising individual tours and excursions! Plus a great way to make new friends 🙂
- Accommodation
- 3 meals p/day weekdays
- Arrival airport transfer & Drop off
- Filtered drinking water, coffee & tea
- 1 day orientation
- Daily transportation to project
- Activities as per the program
- In country 24/7 support & emergency assistance
- Fundraising support
- University course credits (where applicable)
- Certificate of Completion
- Airfares
- Travel Insurance
- Tours, Souvenirs & spending money
Programs begin every Monday, and volunteers are required to arrive the day prior, for orientation before the project. Your accommodation on the Sunday is included in the program fees.
A free airport pickup is included when arriving to Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPS). You must arrive between 10:00 – 17:00 on Sunday.
If arriving outside the pickup times on Sunday, you can book a private transfer for US$50.
If arriving during the week, or on Saturday, we charge US$50 for any extra night’s accommodation before your program, and another US$50 fee for a private transfer.
Alternatively, if arriving early you could wait at the arrival’s terminal for the pickup time, book accommodation at the airport and meet us during the pickup times or make your own way to the project (we will advise on how to do this).
From the airport the accommodation, it takes 1.5 hours by road.
Sunday
Pickup and Transfer to the Center
Welcome Dinner
Monday
Program Introduction, registration, and general info.
Do’s and don’ts and Language Class
Local life experience, farming, and fishing
Cultural Night
Tuesday
Trekking at the Inuman-Banog Waterfalls
Lunch at the waterfalls
Relax and swim in the crystal-clear water of the Agong-Ungay River
Wednesday
Weaving of coconut leaf used for house roofing
Relax at Blessie’s Beach Cove and get a massage
Thursday
Sightseeing in Narra Market, buy fresh seafood and visit the Batang-
Batang River Camp
Grilled for lunch at the river camp
Relax and swim in the crystal clear water of Batang-Batang River
Karaoke Night
Friday
Visit Puerto Princesa Underground River
Buffet lunch at an authentic Filipino Restaurant
Ugong Rock Adventures
Ziplining, Trekking and Caving
Dinner at Baywalk Puerto Princesa
Saturday
Farewell to the local team and departure
Beaches of Boracay
This small island is known for its outstanding natural beauty, and pristine white sand beaches. White beach stretches for 4km and is a popular place to visit. There are plenty of cafes and nightlife, including fire throwers and live music at the bars.
Bohol Chocolate Hills
Take a visit to Bohol island, around an hour from Cebu, and check out the 1200 hills of all shapes and sizes. This stunning natural formation is quite a sight. You can hike or take an ATV ride up the hills.
Diving
The Philippines have many amazing dive spots, and some of the most pristine water in the world! With plenty of fish, coral reef and even whale sharks, this is a divers heaven. You can even learn to dive here.
Twin Lagoon on Coron Island
You may have seen images of this spectacular beauty spot online- and it doesn’t disappoint! As well as some incredible diving, you can also explore some stunning viewpoints, secluded beaches, or go on a boat tour around these turquoise blue waters.
Ziplining
For those who love adventurous activities, why not try ziplining?! Check out the stunning one on El Nido, with beautiful views over the beach. It’s 750 metres and will give you that adrenaline kick for sure.
Kayaking
There are plenty of gorgeous places to kayak in the Philippines, and it’s secret lagoons are some of the best spots. Paddle your way through the stunning rock formations and crystal-clear waters.
Vigan Town
This very pretty town has a Hispanic heritage that is evident as you walk through the artsy cobbled streets. Vigan town is on the island of Luzon and is a great weekend trip, with museums, cafes, workshops and quirky sights. For photographers, you can get some pretty shots at dawn, when the town is empty.
Underground River, Palawan
Puerto Princesa is a beautiful river that goes underground, through impressive limestone caves. Book a boat tour to take you through the caves.
Manila
The capital city, Manila is a hustling and bustling place, with plenty of culture. Be sure to check out the museums, art galleries, old buildings, cafes and bars.
∙ Sunscreen, sunhat, and sunglasses for sun protection
∙ Mosquito/insect repellent (Deet)
∙ Comfortable working shoes
∙ Hand sanitizer and wet wipes for personal hygiene
∙ Modest and comfortable clothing suitable for cultural interactions
∙ Personal medication and a basic first-aid kit
∙ Personal toiletries for your convenience
∙ Daypack or backpack for daily excursions
∙ Reusable water bottle to stay hydrated during activities
For information on holidays and any programs affected, please see the following link: PH – Holidays – All Programs
The Philippines consists of more than 7000 islands and is a land apart from the mainland of Southeast Asia. The people are, simply, Filipinos – and proud of it. Welcoming, warm and relentlessly upbeat, it is they who captivate and ultimately ensnare visitors.
Islands are jungle-clad, mountainous and flanked by aquamarine waters and a world renowned coral reef. But you’ll find plenty of variations on this theme, from marooned slicks of sand in the middle of the ocean to sprawling, overpopulated mega-islands like Luzon and Mindanao.
About half of the Philippines’ 88 million people live in rural areas. Poverty is most severe and most widespread in these areas and almost 80 per cent of the country’s poor people live there. Agriculture is the primary and often only source of income for poor rural people.
Overall, more than a third of the people in the Philippines live in poverty. There are substantial differences in the level of poverty between the regions and provinces and the poverty gap between urban and rural areas is widening.
November to April is the most popular time to visit the Philippines, as this is when there is the least rainfall.
June to October is wet season and November to May is usally dry. Shoulder months can be a great time to travel as you can still get some good weather but there are less crowds. The island weather can vary, so it’s worth checking the weather for which islands you will be visiting at which time of year.
The Philppines has a big Latin and Spanish influence, due to the previous Spanish rule. Evidence of this can be seen throughout the Philippines. The Filipino people are very welcoming, like to have close family bonds, and getting together with friends and family to eat, sing and dance. They are also very religious and most go to church at least every Sunday.
Filipino people have a great respect for thier elders, saying the phrases ‘po’ and ‘opo’, when speaking with thier elders. They love a good party and festival, particually Christmas which they can celebrate right into the second week of January!
30 Years Non Profit Experience
IVI is an Australian charity & non profit organisation founded in 1989 and is one of the pioneers of overseas volunteering successfully placing over 20,000 volunteers globally.
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