Philippine Information Agency
12 Sep 2019, 14:08 GMT+10
City of San Fernando Mayor Edwin Santiago (2nd L) and Vice Mayor Jaime Lazatin (2nd R), sign the commitment for the Cities #WithRefugees Campaign of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). With them are officials from the Department of Justice, UNHCR, and division heads from the city government. (Rina B. Canque/ PIA 3)
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Sept. 12 (PIA) -- The city government of San Fernando has joined cities and municipalities in support to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Cities #WithRefugees Campaign.
UNHCR Protection Associate Ma. Louella Gamboa said the campaign highlights the role of local government units in providing refugees with access to their basic rights and services that would allow them to become self-reliant and eventually give back to their host community.
For her part, Jenny Rose Avellano-Catalo from the Department of Justice (DOJ) said the ceremonial signing marks an important day because the acceptance of governmental responsibility and accountability symbolize homage and solidarity with refugees' remarkable resilience.
"DOJ, in partnership with the UNHCR and other stakeholders, continue to pursue projects and programs that would aid refugees to live a dignified and self-reliant life in the Philippines. With this, we wish for your openness and participation in the integration of these urban refugees in your city by allowing them to have access to basic services. In this way we'd be able to maximize their potentials and help them contribute productively in the society," Catalo said.
In response, Mayor Edwin D. Santiago said the city will fully support the campaign by giving the refugees an access to the local government's basic services.
"Our dream is for the city to become sustainable not only by being economically viable but by being socially inclusive. We welcome and treat everyone residing in the city as Fernandinos. Rest assured that refugees who choose to stay here will be given equal freedom of movement and access to basic services like the rest of the residents," he said.
City of San Fernando is the 7th local government in the Philippines to sign the commitment. The other cities and municipalities were San Jose Del Monte and Sta. Maria Bulacan, Vigan City, Zamboanga City, San Fernando City in La Union, and Sta. Ana in Pampanga. (CLJD/MJSC-PIA 3)
Get a daily dose of Malaysia Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Malaysia Sun.
More InformationBy Reena Bhardwaj Washington, DC [[US], July 11 (ANI): US President Donald Trump on Thursday (local time) announced that the US will...
(250711) -- ARLINGTON, July 11, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Nuekjang Thatdao (R) of Thailand spikes the ball during the match between Germany...
Islamabad [Pakistan], July 11 (ANI): Pakistan Prime Minister's Adviser on Public and Political Affairs, Rana Sanaullah, has rejected...
Islamabad [Pakistan], July 11 (ANI): Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's ex-wife, Jemima Goldsmith, has accused the government...
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa [Pakistan], July 11 (ANI): Awami National Party (ANP) leader Maulana Khan Zeb and a police personnel were shot dead...
Vancouver [Canada], July 11 (ANI): Canadian journalist Daniel Bordman called the attack on a cafe owned by comedian Kapil Sharma a...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Former British prime minister Rishi Sunak will return to Goldman Sachs in an advisory role, the Wall Street...
LONDON, U.K.: Physically backed gold exchange-traded funds recorded their most significant semi-annual inflow since the first half...
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands: Some 32 percent of global semiconductor production could face climate change-related copper supply disruptions...
NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stocks rebounded Tuesday with all the major indices gaining ground. Markets in the UK, Europe and Canada...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Financial markets kicked off the week on a cautious note as President Donald Trump rolled out a fresh round...
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil: At a two-day summit over the weekend, the BRICS bloc of emerging economies issued a joint declaration condemning...