Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 163)
The purpose of Executive Order No. 163 is to institutionalize access to protection services for refugees, stateless persons, and asylum seekers in the Philippines by strengthening the existing legal framework and mechanisms to ensure their rights and protection are upheld.
Persons of Concern (POCs) collectively refer to refugees, stateless persons, and asylum seekers as provided for in the policy of the Executive Order.
The Philippines recognizes the 1951 UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol, the 1954 UN Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons, and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.
A refugee is a person who, owing to a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons such as race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion, is outside their country of nationality and is unable or unwilling to avail of its protection, or who is stateless and outside their former habitual residence as a result of such events and is unable or unwilling to return.
The Committee is tasked with ensuring the provision of relevant services and assistance to POCs pursuant to the 2017 Inter-Agency Agreement, coordinating government efforts, issuing guidelines, improving access to services, and monitoring implementation of policies related to POCs.
The Secretary of the Department of Justice chairs the Inter-Agency Committee.
Non-refoulement is a principle of customary international law that prohibits the expulsion or return of a refugee to a territory where their life or freedom would be threatened on account of protected grounds such as race or political opinion.
Minimum standards include access to socioeconomic services, social security benefits, gainful employment with humane working conditions, education, participation in judicial and administrative processes, legal assistance, access to courts, and freedom of religion.
It mandates that information acquired in the fulfillment of the Committee’s mandate shall remain confidential, respecting the confidentiality of claims and applications including the fact that they were made, subject to rules and national security considerations.
LGUs are encouraged to support the local integration of POCs through information and awareness campaigns and making available necessary programs and services to facilitate integration into local community development frameworks.
Initial funding shall be charged against the budgets of concerned agencies, while subsequent funding shall be part of their regular appropriations, with the Department of Budget and Management ensuring inclusion of initiatives for the protection of POCs in the National Expenditure Program.
The RSPPU is a unit within the Department of Justice responsible for examining and processing claims to refugee or stateless status.
The Order tasks the Committee to coordinate with the Judiciary to ensure that POCs have access to courts and the swift administration of justice, in accordance with relevant international laws.
POCs are obligated to abide by Philippine laws and regulations, including those relating to public health protection, public order, and national security.