Press Release
January 20, 2014

Senate supports efforts towards gov't framework
addressing internally displaced persons

Amid the increasing number of Filipinos rendered homeless by man-made and natural disasters, the Senate "fully supports" the ongoing efforts towards the formulation of a cohesive national policy on internally displaced persons (IDPs), Senate President Franklin Drilon said today.

The Senate leader made the statement during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the "Displaced" photo exhibit held at the Senate by internationally-renowned photographer Rick Rocamora depicting the aftermath of super typhoon Yolanda. The event was held in coordination with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Along with Drilon, those who attended the event included Senate Majority Floor Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, Senator Cynthia Villar, Senate Secretary Oscar Yabes, Rep. Ibarra M. Gutierrez III of Akbayan partylist, and the six mayors of the municipalities of Samar -- Enrique Cabos of Mercedes, Jaime Ty of Gen. Macarthur, Sheen Gonzales of Guiuan, Nedito Campo of Quinapondan, Melchor Mergal of Salcedo and Timoteo Capoquian of Gamay, Samar.

Drilon said that the Senate sees the "urgency and necessity" of formulating a policy framework that would uphold the rights and ensure the welfare of IDPs in the country, and "is poised to work on legislation capacitating such efforts."

He pointed to the previous efforts made by Senators Francis "Chiz" Escudero and Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, to pass the IDP bill in Congress.

Referring to the photographs at the exhibit, Drilon stressed that such programs must be activated at the soonest time possible, "for so many of our countrymen who have lost their homes and their lives continue to look to us for help."

During the event, UNHCR representative to the Philippines Bernard Kerblat said that the question of internally displaced persons, a social phenomenon usually associated only with war-torn countries, is a real challenge which the Philippine government has to acknowledge and address. "IDPs are no longer a distant or foreign question for the Philippines. The past 13 natural and man-made tragedies, which occurred only in a span of 60 days, have led to the total displacement of more than 4.7 million Filipinos," Kerblat said.

Kerblat encouraged the Philippine government to set up protection mechanisms for those displaced by natural disasters and armed conflict, and to formulate a policy framework that would uphold the rights and ensure the welfare of IDPs.

News Latest News Feed