MANILA, Philippines – The US government intends to double the number of Peace Corps volunteers assigned to the country this year if the Philippine government approves it, US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. said.
US Peace Corps volunteers in the country engage in community development work such as English education, environmental protection, and public health service, among others.
Peace Corps volunteers have been in the country for 50 years. Over 8,000 volunteers have served in the Philippines since 1961.“Some of them are helping victims of human trafficking to rebuild their lives.
If the Philippine government approves, we hope to nearly double the number of Peace Corps volunteers in the Philippines this year,” Thomas said.
“Again we have to wait for approval from the Philippine government. I will not get into exact numbers because I think that would be premature, but it will be a big increase.”
Thomas said the US wants to expand the Peace Corps program in the country.
In April 2007, Peace Corps volunteer Julia Campbell was murdered by a woodcarver in a hilly area near Banaue province. In June 2008, a regional trial court in Ifugao convicted Juan Donald Duntugan for Campbell’s murder, sentencing him to 20 years imprisonment without parole. He was also ordered to pay civil liabilities and damage amounting to P39,674,056.52.