Marcos declares June 20 ‘Nat’l Refugee Day’ amid plan to take in Afghans
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has signed a proclamation declaring June 20 every year as “National Refugee Day.”
Proclamation No. 265 makes the Philippine observance in step with World Refugee Day, which is marked on the same day.
The President’s approval also came at a time when a request by the United States government for the Philippines to accept and temporarily host thousands of Afghan refugees has come under scrutiny.
A Senate inquiry called by his elder sister, Sen. Imee Marcos, opened last week to tackle the financial, logistical and security concerns that may arise from the influx of Afghan refugees who have fled the Taliban regime.
READ: Take in Afghans or not? PH has to decide by July 15, says envoy
Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel Romualdez, clarified that the United States would shoulder the cost of the refugees’ stay in the Philippines while their special immigration visas to the United States were being processed.
The Palace maintained that the US request was still under evaluation and yet to be approved by the President.
National Refugee Day declaration part of Humanitarian tradition
In the newly signed proclamation, Mr. Marcos underscored the country’s “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.”
At present, he said, more than 100 million people have been forced to flee their home countries due to strife or conflict, and that the Philippines is currently hosting 264,000 “persons of concern.”
“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 seekers, and increase awareness and recognition of their welfare, needs and vulnerabilities,” he said. —Nestor Corrales
READ: US to begin new Afghan refugee program–sources
