On 17 April 2023, UNHCR Philippines held a national conference to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement (UNGPID) and call for its localization into laws that protect, promote, and uphold the rights and achieve durable solutions for internally displaced persons (IDP) in the Philippines.
The passage of a rights-based legal frameworks is critical as the crisis of internal displacement is recurring, cyclical, and continues to impact the most vulnerable communities. As of November 2022, more than 158,000 individuals remain displaced in Mindanao due to armed conflict, violence, and natural hazards. Globally, more than 53 million people are internally displaced.
The 25th Anniversary celebration of the UNGPID was attended by multiple stakeholders who shared best practices and insights, as well as expressed commitment to build on achievements and pursue the enactment of the IDP bills. ©UNHCR/Jasmine Cruz
Gustavo González, Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator of the United Nations in the Philippines, gives assurance on the commitment of the Humanitarian Country Team towards durable solutions for internally displaced persons. ©UNHCR/Yam Palma
The national conference provided a venue for different stakeholders to exchange lessons learned as well as re-affirm each one’s commitment to help sustain the momentum in enhancing policy and legal frameworks for IDPs in the Philippines. ©UNHCR/Jasmine Cruz
The national conference, which was held in parallel to the global Special Commemorative Event of the UNGPID anniversary, brought to light the significant strides that have been undertaken to address internal displacement. Attended by representatives from internally displaced and host communities, the Government, human rights institutions, the United Nations Humanitarian Country Team, the Protection Cluster in the Philippines, and civil society organizations, the event built on recent developments and provided a venue for an exchange of good practices and lessons learned on IDP bills and policies as well for IDP and host communities to share their own experiences and insights.
“I hope the injustices that we experienced will be resolved with this IDP Bill,” said Ulah Ganoy, who has been forced to flee his home in Maguindanao due to armed conflict. As a member of the LGBTIQ+ community living in forced displacement, Ulah hopes for “permanent long-term solutions to the problems faced by IDPs”, including access to education and protection from gender-based violence and discrimination.
The UNGPID is seen as a significant human rights instrument in terms of ensuring protection of IDPs as it defines who an IDP is, outlines the principles for duty bearers, and sets forth the international standards for addressing internal displacement. It has become the cornerstone on IDP protection and has served as a key reference in regional and country-level frameworks. As of October 2022, 46 countries had at least an IDP law, policy or strategy/action plan on internal displacement, while 14 countries had laws on internal displacement. If the IDP Bills are enacted into laws, the Philippines will be the first country in Southeast Asia to do so.
UNHCR Philippines Head of National Office Maria Ermina Valdeavilla-Gallardo highlighted the importance of recognizing the evolving nature of internal displacement and need for the inclusion and meaningful participation of IDPs and host communities. ©UNHCR/Jasmine Cruz
Representatives from internally displaced and host communities were present to share their experiences and insights about internal displacement and their current efforts to address the challenges in their respective communities. ©UNHCR/Yam Palma
Reinna Bermudez from the Commission on Human Rights, Dr. Danilo Atienza from the Provincial Government of Southern Leyte, and Ulah Ganoy, an IDP from Maguindanao, share how to address internal displacement using a rights-based and multi-stakeholder approach. ©UNHCR/Jasmine Cruz
Developments to pursue IDP frameworks in the Philippines are discussed by two bill authors, Hon. Jude Acidre of the House of Representatives and Minister Raissa H. Jajurie of the BARMM Ministry of Social Services and Development. ©UNHCR/Jasmine Cruz
Efforts to institutionalize local policies on IDP protection are shared and discussed by Yusoph Dirampatun of Kapai, Lanao Del Sur, Alfidzrah Maharail of Patikul, Sulu, Beatriz Yap of South Upi, Maguindanao, CBCS Executive Director Guiamel Alim, Talibon Federation of Differently-abled Persons President Renato Judilla, ACCORD, and other IDP representatives. ©UNHCR/Jasmine Cruz
“The Bill acknowledges the primary duty of the State to provide protection and humanitarian assistance to IDPs. It ensures that IDPs shall enjoy in full equality and without discrimination the same rights and freedoms as any other Filipino”, said Hon. Bienvenido Abante Jr., author of House Bill 5268. In addition, Hon. Abante Jr., humbly appealed to the Senate to enact the same measure with a greater sense of urgency as the IDPs can wait no longer and should suffer no more.
Consistent with the UNGPID, significant steps have already been undertaken to address internal displacement over the years. The Philippines is one of the countries in focus in the Global Report on Law and Policy on Internal Displacement due to its policies and laws addressing internal displacement, and ongoing endeavors to pursue legal frameworks for, by, and with IDPs at the national, regional (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao or BARMM), and local levels.
Minister Raissa H. Jajurie of the BARMM Ministry of Social Services and Development and author of Bill No. 32 said that “the Bill takes a whole-of-society and Government approach to ensure that the response and resolution to internal displacement is human rights-based.” In addition, she highlighted “the need to continue raising awareness among the general public while engaging IDPs and host communities as rights-holders and other government agencies as duty-bearers.”
With all of these initiatives, the Philippines has been identified as one of the 16 priority countries to pilot the implementation of the UN Secretary-General’s Action Agenda on Internal Displacement, with the aim of creating global political momentum to join efforts and capacity in the search of durable solutions to IDPs.
“Today is a special day for the humanitarian community and for everyone who is working to leave no one behind. It gives us the opportunity to translate Guiding Principles into concrete Action. Myself and the UN Country Team in the Philippines remain fully committed towards durable solutions for IDPs,” said Gustavo González, Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator of the United Nations in the Philippines.
Meanwhile, Maria Ermina Valdeavilla-Gallardo, Head of National Office of UNHCR Philippines, highlighted the importance of recognizing “the evolving nature of internal displacement, including the growing impact of climate change, and the need for innovative, inclusive, and holistic approaches to address these new challenges.” She called for the continued “inclusion and participation of IDPs and host communities themselves in decision-making processes that affect their lives.”
To sustain the momentum in enhancing policy and legal frameworks, UNHCR, with support from the members of the Protection Cluster in the Philippines, and in coordination with its project partners, the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD) and the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS), will remain committed in building on past learnings, improving key achievements, and pursuing the passage of the IDP bills.
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ABOUT UNHCR
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. We lead international action to protect refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. We deliver life-saving assistance, help safeguard fundamental human rights, and develop solutions that ensure people have a safe place called home where they can build a better future. We also work to ensure that stateless people are granted a nationality. We work in over 130 countries, using our expertise to protect and care for millions.
In the Philippines, UNHCR has maintained a presence for over 40 years, working on three pillars: providing durable solutions to refugees, ending and reducing statelessness, and empowering displaced families. UNHCR leads the Protection Cluster within the context of the Humanitarian Country Team and provides support to the Government-led Protection Cluster both at the national and sub-national levels. By working with local and national stakeholders, UNHCR advocates for the passage of an IDP protection law both at the national and BARMM level to identify, prevent, and respond to internal displacement in accordance with the UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement. With a clear legislation framework, this will ensure that IDPs will be better protected and their rights are upheld.
EFFORTS UNDERTAKEN TO ADDRESS INTERNAL DISPLACEMENT CONSISTENT WITH THE UNGPID
CURRENT LEGISLATIVE MEASURES TO ADDRESS INTERNAL DISPLACEMENT
For more information, please contact:
UNHCR Philippines – External Relations
[email protected]
(02) 88172398
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