The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Monday, March 14, said it is prepared to extend assistance to refugees, stateless persons, and asylum seekers in line with the issuance of Executive Order (EO) 163.
EO 163, titled "Institutionalizing Access to Protection Services for Refugees, Stateless Persons, and Asylum Seekers" and signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on Feb. 28, 2022, was initiated by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and endorsed by the Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cluster (HDPRC), chaired by DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista.
The order specifically guarantees the protection of the rights to security, liberty, and mobility of refugees, asylum seekers, and stateless persons--collectively known as persons of concern (POC).
It institutionalizes the Inter-Agency Committee on the Protection of Refugees, Stateless Persons and Asylum Seekers that is chaired by the DOJ secretary and vice-chaired by the DSWD secretary.
The committee is tasked to guarantee the provision and access to government programs and services to POCs, especially during times of emergency.
These include health services, social protection programs, access to education, legal assistance, and gainful employment, among others.
The EO will warrant the convergence of government and other concerned agencies, including local government units, to address the needs and protection of POCs.
It is considered as a milestone document, being the country’s first policy on refugees which highlights the provision of services to target beneficiaries and not just the granting of entry to the Philippines.
Meanwhile, with the Philippine government conveying its acceptance to help refugees from Ukraine, the DSWD assured that it will consistently coordinate with the Department of Foreign Affairs and other concerned agencies regarding the preparations to assist incoming refugees if any.