MANILA, Philippines – The Ayala Foundation (AFI) is looking for individuals who can share their professional skills in volunteer missions, expanding its volunteer program as the world marks the UN International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development.
This is in line with AFI’s efforts to broaden volunteer activities beyond regular repacking of relief goods or periodic cleanup activities, aiming to bring experts and specialists to communities that need support.
Through the Ayala Corporate Citizenship and Volunteerism Platform, anyone can sign up as skills-based or passion volunteers and take part in socio-civic volunteering opportunities.
“Helping out goes beyond corporate affiliation and profession. Whether you’re a teacher, counsellor, health worker, engineer, or any professional who would like to share their skills and time to support communities, you are welcome to join us as a volunteer,” said AFI president Tony Lambino.
Dr. Anghelika Seratubias, a general practitioner from Healthway Lio in El Nido, Palawan, shared how her experience in volunteering for a three-day medical mission gave her a different kind of fulfillment. The October 2025 mission served three El Nido barangays, namely Bagong Bayan, Bucana, and Villa Libertad.
“Alam naman natin dito sa El Nido, very limited ‘yung resources when it comes to the health care system… So ‘yung mga ganitong programa po, malaking tulong po sa mga kababayan natin dito. And as a doctor po na nagse-serve dito, very fulfilling and sana po mas marami pang activities na mangyari,” she said.
For her colleague Dr. Christian Gabriel, his first experience joining an AFI-led medical mission was “very humbling and very eye-opening.”
“Sobrang important siya talaga especially sa mga far-flung areas like here in El Nido, kung saan mahirap maka-access ng healthcare na super kailangan. Sana in the future marami pang event na mangyari tulad nito para matulungan natin ang mga tao sa malalayong lugar,” he said.
Jenny Belle Tallo, project HR supervisor, was part of the Makati Development Corporation team of volunteers deployed in quake-hit Cebu last year to conduct rapid visual inspections of affected buildings.
“The experience strengthened my appreciation of how professional skills can create meaningful impact beyond the workplace, particularly when applied to community service and disaster response initiatives. It gave a deeper purpose beyond daily responsibilities,” Tallo said.
AFI believes in the power of volunteerism to drive inclusive development. Last year, volunteers contributed a total of 183,563 volunteer hours in various programs, of which 5,224 were from Ayala skills-based volunteers.
This Year of the Volunteer, AFI was appointed by the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency to lead the private sector for its volunteer program, reflecting the foundation’s commitment to strengthening volunteer engagement across sectors.
