National Refugee Day 2026 Launch Highlights Advancing Solutions and Rebuilding Lives
National Refugee Day 2026 Launch Highlights Advancing Solutions and Rebuilding Lives
Janice stands at the Naional Refugee Day 2026 Media Launch not only as a beneficiary of protection, but as a mother who once faced uncertainty, fear, and doubt about what the future would hold.
Janice Tarlue, a mother, once fled her home in fear, carrying nothing but hope for her daughter and the courage to begin again. Leaving behind everything familiar, she arrived in the Philippines uncertain of what lay ahead, but determined to build a better future.
In time, the country welcomed her, and slowly, her life began to change. Though challenges remained, the support of the Philippine Government through the Department of Justice-Refugees and Stateless Persons Protection Unit (DOJ-RSPPU), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Community and Family Services International (CFSI) and partner organizations gave her the foundation she needed to rebuild. She found a home in Davao, where she embraced her new surroundings, learned to speak Bisaya, and became part of the community.
At the National Refugee Day (NRD) 2026 media launch, where her courage was honoured, Janice expressed “If the Philippines had not opened its doors to me, I would still be living in fear and uncertainty, without dignity or hope for a new life.”
Her story of resilience echoes this year’s theme of commemoration: Solutions in Motion: Rebuilding Futures Together which frames the Philippines’ steadfast action in supporting people who are forced to flee. As DOJ-RSPPU’s Chief State Counsel Dennis Arvin L. Chan puts it, “The theme reflects a simple but important truth. Lasting solutions cannot be achieved by any single institution acting alone.”
Undersecretary Ramon Ilagan of the Presidential Communications Office reiterated the Philippines’ commitment to advancing refugee protection and humanitarian policies, highlighting Proclamation No. 265 issued by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in 2023, which declares June 20 as National Refugee Day. “The Philippines stands with you [Refugees] in your journey of recovery. Together, let us rebuild new lives, new communities, and new hopes,” he added.
Meanwhile, the judiciary plays a vital role within this broader protection framework. Highlighting the courts’ efforts, Presiding Judge Maria Josefina G. San Juan-Torres emphasized, “its responsibility is to ensure that legal rights and protections are given meaningful effect through fair procedures, impartial adjudication, and fidelity to the law.”
Supporting this effort, UNHCR Philippines Head of National Office Maria Ermina Valdeavilla-Gallardo, reminded that displacement remains at near-record levels and that this year carries particular significance, marking the 75 years since the international community came together. Like Janice’s story of hope, Valdeavilla-Gallardo delivered UNHCR’s global position, “This year, our message is clear: we will uphold that promise until everyone is safe.”
This whole-of-society approach helped Janice grow into an active member of a refugee-led women’s group, helping create livelihood opportunities not only for herself but for others in similar situations. Through this, she discovered a renewed sense of purpose and belonging.
Most importantly, her daughter was able to go to school, where she gained access to education, a gift that no one could take away. What once felt uncertain became filled with possibility.
Being recognized as a refugee restored her dignity. It gave her not just protection, but the chance to live in peace, to contribute, and to dream again.
Proud of this humanitarian role, the Government of the Philippines with support from UNHCR prepared a series of activities commemorating this important event, advancing lasting solutions for refugees, stateless persons, and those at risk of statelessness.
These include the National Refugee Day Forum on 23 June 2026, providing a platform to share ideas and show solidarity with refugees. The commemoration also features the Blue Monday initiative on 22 June, where government agencies wear blue to demonstrate support, alongside a One-Stop Shop and Food Bazaar on 25 June showcasing refugee-led businesses.
Marking solidarity for World Refugee Day on 20 June, the 4th Refugee Film Festival and Short Film Competition will be organized in partnership with De La Salle University–Manila (DLSU-Manila) at DLSU Taft Brother Andrew Gonzales Hall, offering young filmmakers a platform to express their creativity and showcase their storytelling skills. The film festival will screen a curated selection of films, including Another Place by Jhizet Panosian, Rosemary’s Way by Ros Horin, and The Circle of Our Daughters by Arjay Arellano, alongside the top five entries from the short film competition.
Director Anna Lyn M. Bandagosa of DLSU’s Center for Social Concern and Action highlighted that “Through the stories shared in these films, we hope to foster greater understanding, empathy, and solidarity among our students, personnel, and partner communities.”
With these coordinated and combined initiatives, like the stories of Janice and other refugees around the world, they stand hopeful for the future. Her journey is a powerful reminder that welcoming others is an act of humanity, one that gives families not just safety, but a true second chance at life.
Sustained progress requires coordinated action across sectors, guided by the voices, resilience, and participation of refugees and stateless persons themselves.
