June 20 declared ‘National Refugee Day’ every year

Afghan women learn how to read the Koran in a madrasa or religious school in Kabul, Afghanistan, October 8, 2022. REUTERS/Ali Khara/File photo

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has proclaimed June 20 every year as National Refugee Day.

The document was signed on Tuesday by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on behalf of the Chief Executive.

The information was uploaded to the Official Gazette on Thursday.

One of the reasons cited by the proclamation was that the United Nations celebrates World Refugee on June 20 annually as well.

“The Philippines has a  long-standing 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,” declared Proclamation number 265.

It concluded, “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.’”

The announcement follows government talks on whether to host Afghans who helped the US combat the Taliban.

Palace is reviewing this proposal from US government.

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