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June 20, Philippine National Refugees Day
By Nidz Godino
“We Filipinos are renowned for our hospitality and historically, we have extended this especially to vulnerable individuals in need of safety from war and persecution,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said in his speech read for him by DOJ Undersecretary Raul Vasquez Philippine government has affirmed its commitment to provide support and aid to refugees and stateless persons as it launched country’s first National Refugee Day that will be celebrated nationwide on June 20.
Move comes after Presidential Proclamation 265 from 2023 declared June 20 every year as National Refugee Day and requires all government bodies, government-owned and -controlled corporations, state universities, local government units, non-government organizations and private sector to join celebration.
First National Refugee Day will highlight country’s “solemn commitment to accord humanitarian efforts and provide protected and conducive environment for refugees, asylum seekers, stateless persons, stateless applications and persons at risk of statelessness,” according to Department of Justice (DOJ).
“Through very first commemoration of National Refugee Day, Philippines sends strong message of our commitment to our long humanitarian legacy of opening our doors and providing support to people who have crossed international borders to seek protection,” Remulla stressed.
Government is also eyeing greater economic inclusion and better legal framework for refugees, stateless persons and other vulnerable groups.
Meanwhile, Chief State Counsel Dennis Arvin Chan, head of DOJ’s Refugees and Stateless Persons Protection Unit, noted that there are about 1,000 recognized refugees in the Philippines and about same number of pending applications.
Chan said these refugees are of diverse nationalities, but mostly from Middle East and African countries, majority of whom are seeking asylum in the Philippines to avoid persecution in their home countries.
As to the refugees who have become Filipino citizens, he noted there are fewer than 10 who have undergone naturalization.
Judge Maria Josefina San Juan-Torres also threw her support behind National Refugee Day, noting that judges are trained to handle naturalization cases more efficiently, crediting 2022 Supreme Court (SC) ruling.
That year, SC approved rule that would simplify, reduce legal and procedural hurdles and facilitate naturalization as Filipino citizens of refugees and stateless persons.
Rule now allows electronic publication of petition filed by refugees and stateless persons.
As signatory to key international conventions, Philippines vows protection to those fleeing violence and persecution.
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