Philippines highlights whole-of-society approach to forced displacement, statelessness for 1st National Refugee Day

In the Philippines, the commemoration of National Refugee Day, a national observance held simultaneously with World Refugee Day pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 265 series of 2023, served as a platform for meaningful discussions among partners from the national government, academe, civil society, private sector, and the forcibly displaced, stateless, and at risk of statelessness.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, was at the forefront of the activities with partners from the Department of Justice – Refugees and Stateless Persons Protection Unit (DOJ-RSPPU), De La Salle Philippines, and UNIQLO Philippines. Spanning three days, the commemoration of National Refugee Day and World Refugee Day drew over 600 participants from all over the nation.

In the face of growing global forced displacement which rose to 120 million as of May this year, the activities sought to amplify the voices of the forcibly displaced, stateless, and those at risk of statelessness and call for greater cooperation in advocating for their inclusion and access to opportunities in the country.

“Every 20^th of June, UNHCR honours the bravery and resilience of the forcibly displaced and stateless. Today, UNHCR takes pride in its engagements with various partners in the pursuit of solidarity and solutions for and with the forcibly displaced and stateless,” said UNHCR Philippines Head of National Office Maria Ermina Valdeavilla-Gallardo.

1st National Refugee Day Forum and PhilSys Registration for Refugees

To kick off the three-day commemoration of World Refugee Day and National Refugee Day, the DOJ-RSPPU, in partnership with UNHCR, led the first National Refugee Day Forum on 20 June at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).

Moderated by UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Atom Araullo, the first panel discussion served as a platform for an in-depth conversation with representatives of the people UNHCR works for and with, highlighting their strength and resilience as well as the challenges they face as they strive to rebuild their lives.

Jalal Aboughala who is now a Filipino citizen, shared that he faced many difficulties and had to “start from zero” here in the Philippines. “I tried to be a resourceful person – in Tagalog, “madiskarte” — to take advantage of every opportunity I have.”

In response, the second panel discussion, moderated by DOJ-RSPPU State Counsel and Protection Officer Jane Hazel Garcia-Doble, gathered representatives from government, academe, and civil society to discuss the existing and emerging solutions and explore ways to further enhance and ensure access to such opportunities.

Dr. Steven Muncy, Executive Director of the Community and Family Services International (CFSI), shared insights on the favourable protection environment that the Philippines has been upholding for years, pointing out that this was not the case “in every country.”

“In the Philippines, you have a Government, UN agencies, NGOs, academic institutions, and the private sector that are all willing to work together for the benefit of other people, particularly if they’re vulnerable, disadvantaged, and in great need. And that’s really a testament of the Philippines. It’s not the case in every country. So, I would love for the Filipinos to take credit for what this country does with other people,” he said.

“Anyone can be a displaced individual. That is why in San Beda, we are committed to really helping disadvantaged individuals,” shared Director Noriel C. Tabag, who leads the Community Engagement Center of San Beda University, an active academic partner of the Philippines’ Complementary Pathways programme.

This is evident as well in what was shared by resource persons from key government institutions in the Philippines such as Ms. Irish M. Opeña, OIC Division Chief of the Sectoral Programs Division of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), who shared that they are now in the process of crafting specific guidelines for the provision of assistance for those seeking refuge in the country.

“What we call AICS (Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations) is in a form of financial or material assistance. It depends on the assessment of the social worker and on the concern being brought to us by (an) individual in crisis. Our social worker will determine what kind of assistance can be provided. We do not have separate parameters for Filipinos and POCs (persons of concern); we have the same amount as to how much can be provided. Now, we are trying to craft separate guidelines, solely how we are going to help our POCs,” she said.

Likewise, Atty. Melisa Jane Comafay Yeachana, Director of the International Affairs Office of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), emphasized the efforts to extend assistance through professionalism. “Because many who flee their countries or who seek refuge in for example the Philippines would have been a doctor, a professional, a very good member of society in their former homes. But once their flee their country, where would they now seek their livelihood? As a regulatory agency for these professionals, we support this endeavor, definitely for the purpose of providing them their opportunity to also support themselves and their families.”

Further demonstrating the government’s commitment to inclusion, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in partnership with UNHCR and the Department of Justice (DOJ) covered 39 refugees in the pilot registration session for non-Filipinos under the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) which coincided with the forum.

“Historically, we have opened our doors to refugees from various corners of the world, offering them not just temporary shelter but also protective services, including opportunities for livelihood and durable solutions through integration into society. The road ahead remains undeniably filled with challenges, in fact, there is more that needs to be done, but we remain undaunted and continue to stand proud as a nation in this noble endeavor,” expressed Undersecretary Raul T. Vasquez of the DOJ.

For her part, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Assistant Secretary Ada Colico said, “throughout this forum, we have been moved by stories of struggle and triumph and unwavering determination. Today’s discussions have underscored the critical need for compassion, understanding and action.”

Likewise, the Philippine Judiciary stressed its commitment to supporting refugees and stateless persons through the Rule on Facilitated Naturalization of Refugees and Stateless Persons, the first Judiciary-led framework in the world.

“This Rule is the realization of the Judiciary’s commitment to facilitate the inclusion and full integration of refugees and stateless persons into Philippine life. With this, many refugees have also expressed interest to become full-fledged Filipinos, thereby achieving long-lasting and sustainable solutions,” said the Supreme Court of the Philippines in a statement delivered by Atty. Nashmyleen A. Marohomsalic of the Office of Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo.

2^nd Refugee Film Festival and Short Film Competition

Following the success of the Philippines’ 1^st Refugee Film Festival in 2023 and this time in partnership with De La Salle Philippines, De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde, DOJ-RSPPU, and UNIQLO Philippines, UNHCR continued showcasing films that highlight extraordinary stories of people forced to flee at the Augusto-Rosario Gonzalez (ARG) Theater of the De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde from 20 to 22 June.

“Let us reaffirm our solidarity and compassion for those who have been forcibly displaced. Through art and dialogue, we deepen our understanding and renew our commitment to support refugees worldwide,” said Mr. Andyo Abusmas, Deputy Director of the Social Action Unit of the De La Salle Brothers, Inc.

Opening with The Story Won’t Die by David Henry Gerson, the three-day film festival brought a total of six (6) films that highlighted the experience and resilience of refugees, asylum seekers, stateless persons, populations at risk of statelessness, and internally displaced people. The lineup also featured The Ice Cream Sellers by Sohel Rahman, A Girl From Mogadishu by Mary McGuckian, For Sama by Waad al-Kateab and Edward Watts, and The Invisible Monster by Javier & Guillermo Fesser. After each film screening, talkback sessions with filmmakers, film scholars, and other resource persons from the academe and humanitarian organizations helped deepen the audience’s understanding of the stories presented. We Were Here, an original documentary series from UNHCR and YouTube which challenges stereotypes and perceptions about refugees, was also featured ahead of screening the top five entries of the Hope Away From Home Short Film Competition.

Addressing the young filmmakers who were present during the short film screening, UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Atom Araullo recognized them for dedicating their time, talent, and creativity to produce films that illuminate the challenges and aspirations of the forcibly displaced and stateless. “As one of the judges, I am genuinely impressed, not only by the technical excellence of your films but also by the profound understanding and empathy you’ve shown for these important issues,” said Araullo.

The Short Film Competition received a record total of 36 entries from all over the country which were evaluated by an esteemed panel of judges composed of Dean Maria Sharon Mapa Arriola of the School of New Media Arts of De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde, Atty. Melvin Suarez, State Counsel of DOJ-RSPPU, Adjani Arumpac, filmmaker and Assistant Professor of the University of the Philippines Film Institute, UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador and award-winning broadcast journalist Atom Araullo, and UNHCR Philippines Head of National Office Maria Ermina Valdeavilla-Gallardo.

“Our collective hope is for these meaningful partnerships to continue to raise awareness and inspire empathy for the forcibly displaced and stateless – not only about their plight, but more importantly to draw attention to the fact that they bring with them skills, talents, values, and experience that will allow them to be productive members of society,” said Valdeavilla-Gallardo.

 

***

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 providing durable solutions to refugees, ending and reducing statelessness, and empowering displaced families.

 

For more information, please contact:

Karen Cepeda
External Relations Associate
[email protected]
(02) 88172398
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter