Marcos declares every June 20 as National Refugee Day

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has declared June 20 of every year as National Refugee Day.

Through Proclamation No. 265, Marcos said 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.

According to Marcos, World Refugee Day is an annual celebration designated by the United Nations 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.

The President said his administration 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.

Marcos said all agencies, offices, state universities and colleges, private sector, civil society groups, and other Philippine-based UN agencies to actively participate and render necessary support for the effective enforcement of the Proclamation. —Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK, GMA Integrated News