Peace Corps marks 65 years of service, welcomes new volunteers in Manila

On July 6, the U.S. Peace Corps in the Philippines welcomed 49 Volunteers and five Response Volunteers to Manila as the agency celebrates 65 years of service to Filipino communities, dating back to John F. Kennedy’s presidency.

The Peace Corps’ 65th anniversary coincides with other major milestones in 2026, including the 80th anniversary of U.S.-Philippine diplomatic relations and the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence.

“For 65 years, Peace Corps Volunteers have lived and worked hand in hand with Filipinos, contributing to shared goals in education, environmental protection, and youth empowerment,” said Peace Corps Philippines Country Director Marguerite Roy.  “This new batch will now become part of that story.  We are excited to see how this newest group will learn from their host communities while contributing their own skills and experiences.”

Representing the 283rd batch of Peace Corps Volunteers in the country, the 49 new Volunteers will serve for two years alongside partners in communities across the Philippines.  They will co-teach English in public elementary and secondary schools, facilitate youth development programs with youth centers managed by the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development, and support coastal resource management initiatives with local government units.  Throughout their service, they will integrate into their host communities, learn local languages, and implement projects that respond to locally identified needs.

Meanwhile, the Response Volunteers, representing the 56th batch, are highly skilled professionals serving for 6 to 12 months.  They will take on specialized, high-impact assignments in disaster risk reduction, emergency response, and environmental programs that strengthen the capacity of local governments and higher education institutions to address urgent development challenges.

The Philippines is the second oldest U.S. Peace Corps program in the world.  Since 1961, more than 9,700 Americans have set an example of American excellence by serving alongside Filipino communities in support of Philippine government and community development priorities.  This year, the Peace Corps is celebrating its 65th anniversary globally and in the Philippines, marking more than six decades of changing lives and transforming global communities through service.