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Gwangju, South Korea – January 10, 2026 – After a three-year pause brought on by the global COVID-19 pandemic, international volunteer efforts are gearing up for a return to the Philippines.A group of 35 volunteers will travel to Baclaon, Bohol, from January 17th to the 21st to provide medical and social support to local residents.
Resuming Vital Aid: Volunteers Head to the Philippines
A team of medical professionals and social volunteers will offer crucial services in Baclaon, Bohol, marking a significant step in the resumption of international aid programs.
- A 35-member volunteer group will travel to the Philippines.
- The mission focuses on medical services, quarantine support, and cultural exchange.
- This marks the first overseas volunteer trip as 2020, when activities were suspended due to the pandemic.
- volunteers will provide aid in Baclaon,Bohol,from January 17th to 21st.
The Gwangju International Cooperation Foundation held an inaugural ceremony for the overseas volunteer group at the Family Center in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, on the 10th. The event included a review of the volunteer schedule, distribution of necessary supplies, and a commitment to the upcoming mission.
The group comprises 10 medical staff representing seven different specialties, including internal medicine and orthopedics, alongside 19 social volunteers. They will deliver a range of programs, from providing direct medical care and assisting with quarantine measures to sharing Korean food culture and offering hairdressing services. This initiative targets the underdeveloped island area of Baclaon, Bohol.
Hong Gyeong-pyo, chairman of the Gwangju International Cooperation Group, emphasized the importance of safety and pride in representing the Republic of Korea. “All members should not forget their pride as civilian diplomats representing the Republic of Korea. First and foremost is safety, and the second is safety.The greatest achievement is completing the mission and returning home in good health,” he stated.
Lee Kyung-ho, CEO of TEDU SNG and head of the community service group, described the trip as more than just a one-time event. “This overseas volunteer service in the Philippines is not a one-time volunteer service, but a journey of sharing that connects people with their hearts. It will be a valuable time for us to reach out to our neighbors in need and at the same time learn and grow about the wider world ourselves.”
The Gwangju International Cooperation Group has been organizing overseas volunteer trips to Nepal and Mongolia since 2017. The program was temporarily halted in 2020 due to the
