Proclamation No. 265, s. 2023

MALACANAN PALACE MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

PROCLAMATION NO. 265

DECLARING JUNE 20 OF EVERY YEAR AS THE NATIONAL REFUGEE DAY

WHEREAS, Section 11, Article II of the Constitution declares it a State policy to value the dignity of every human person and guarantee full respect for human rights;

WHEREAS, Executive Order No. 163 (s. 2022) institutionalizes the access to protection services for refugees, stateless persons, and asylum seekers in the country by establishing an Inter-Agency Committee tasked to ensure that policies on the protection of, and the services and assistance offered to persons of concerns are consistent with relevant laws, rules, and regulations;

WHEREAS, one of the strategies under the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 is to continuously protect and pursue sustainable and durable solutions for, by, and with persons of concern by providing anticipatory programs that will address their needs, especially in situations of violence and conflicts;

WHEREAS, the Philippines is a State Party to the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol, the 1954 Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons, and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness;

WHEREAS, the “World Refugee Day” is an annual celebration designated by the United Nations (UN) every June 20 to honor the strength and courage of people who have fled war, violence, conflict or persecution, and have crossed an international border to find safety in another country;

WHEREAS, 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; and

WHEREAS, with more than 100 million people forced to flee globally, and with an estimated 264,000 persons of concern currently hosted by the Philippines, 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

THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

seekers, and increase awareness and recognition of their welfare, needs, and vulnerabilities;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR., President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and existing laws, do hereby declare June 20 of every year as the “National Refugee Day.”

All agencies and instrumentalities of the National Government, including government-owned or -controlled corporations and state universities and colleges, are hereby enjoined, and all local government units, non-government organizations, civil society groups, Philippine-based UN agencies, and the private sector, are hereby encouraged, to actively participate and render the necessary support and assistance for the effective implementation of this Proclamation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, | have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

DONE, in the City of Manila, this 20th day of June , in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Twenty-Three.

By the President:

Office of the President MALACANANG RECORDS OFFICE

CERTIFIED COPY ATTY. CONCEPCION RO-ERAD

i

PUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINE:

aim RE! 'S

PBBM002318