June 20 of every year declared as National Refugee Day
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. declared June 20 of every year as National Refugee Day, Malacañang announced Thursday.
Proclamation 265, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on behalf of the chief executive, stated the government recognizes the necessity for a national observance of the World Refugee Day to protect and uphold the rights of refugees, stateless persons, and asylum seekers.
World Refugee Day—which falls each year on June 20—is an international day designated by the United Nations to honor refugees around the globe.
“The Philippines has a longstanding humanitarian tradition of opening its arms to those who seek safety, and promoting an environment suitable for people forced to flee their countries of origin, stateless persons, and populations at risk of statelessness,” the proclamation read.
The Philippines hosts around 264,000 persons of concern—or those identified by the UN Refugee Agency as refugees, returnees, stateless people, internally displaced and asylum-seekers.
Of the figure, 131,000 are internally displaced persons, 129,000 are stateless persons or those at risk of statelessness, and 1,400 are refugees and asylum-seekers.
The proclamation comes amid discussions on the request of the United States for the Philippines to temporarily house Afghans who worked for Washington before the Taliban takeover in 2021.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said the request is now under review. — Gaea Katreena Cabico
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