Senate supports National Volunteer Month

The Senate today adopted a resolution expressing its full support and active participation in the observance of the National Volunteer Month held in December.

Introduced by Senate President Franklin Drilon, Senate Resolution No. 394 pledged the Senate's observance of the National Volunteer Month in accordance with the Presidential Proclamation No. 55.

Drilon underscored the importance of the event, saying that it raises the country's awareness on the role of volunteerism and the people who engage "in shaping the social, economic and political landscape of the country."

"We need to give due recognition to the volunteers who devote their time and efforts in serving others," he said.

With this year's theme, " Volunteer for the Millennium Development Goals: Combat HIV and AIDS," the resolution noted that volunteers play an important role in addressing the challenges of serious social issues, such as the increasing cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in the country.

"The number of reported cases of HIV and AIDS for the last six years have shown a disturbingly steep rise - from less than one case reported per day in 2006, to 15 cases per day in 2013," the resolution said.

"The drastic increase of HIV and AIDS infections in the country merits the proactive attention of the entire country, even as the government takes aggressive measures to stifle the growth of these rates," the resolution added.

According to the resolution, the Senate recognizes the power of volunteerism in attaining "the collective aspirations of the people," and that the country must make serious efforts to create "an environment conducive to volunteerism in our society."

The resolution encouraged everyone to take part in the public activities organized by the Philippine National Volunteer Coordinating Agency, which is responsible for the official celebration of the event.