Marcos orders gov't agencies to help in seeking nominations for Presidential Awards for overseas Filipinos
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (Malacañang Photo)
President Marcos has directed all government agencies to help in the call for nominations for the 2026 Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas (PAFIOO).
“All government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned or -controlled corporations, are hereby directed, and all local government units, non-government organizations, and the private sector are hereby encouraged, to extend full support to the CFO (Commission on Filipinos Overseas) in the conduct of the 2026 PAFIOO,” Marcos said.
He made the call through Memorandum Circular No. 112, signed on Jan. 15.
The President also urged various sectors to extend their full support to the CFO which has opened the call for nominations for the 2026 PAFIOO.
He stressed that the successful conduct of the 2026 PAFIOO requires the dissemination of information and active participation of government agencies and instrumentalities, as well as the general public in identifying and endorsing qualified nominees.
The CFO will accept nominations for the 2026 PAFIOO until May 29, 2026, covering the following award categories: Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino Award, Banaag Award, Pamana ng Pilipino Award, and Kaanib ng Bayan Award.
The nominations shall undergo a multi-stage evaluation process leading to the conferment of the awards in December 2026.
Marcos also ordered the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) to implement effective measures to inform and encourage the public to nominate qualified individuals for the 2026 PAFIOO.
The Presidential Awards is a biennial award conferred by the President to outstanding overseas Filipinos, as well as foreign individuals and organizations, in recognition of their exceptional achievements, humanitarian and philanthropic initiatives, and significant contributions to Philippine development and the advancement of the interests of the Filipino diaspora.
Since its establishment in 1991, the PAFIOO has been conferred upon 555 individuals and organizations from 55 countries and territories by seven Presidents.
Under Batas Pambansa Blg. 72 (series of 1980), the CFO was mandated to initiate and directly undertake the implementation of special projects and programs, whenever necessary, to promote the welfare of Filipinos overseas with respect to their interests and activities in the Philippines.