PACCI’S PARTICIPATION IN ENHANCING PHILIPPINE POLICY FOR THE REFUGEES AND RIGHTSHOLDERS
December 10 - 11, 2025
Clark, Pampanga, Philippines
The Philippine Arab Cooperation Council, Inc. (PACCI) contributed in the engagement hosted by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Clark, Pampanga from December 10 to 11, 2025. The event brought together senior officials from UNHCR, the Department of Justice, Congress, and the Senate, highlighting the Philippine government’s longstanding humanitarian response and support for refugees and displaced populations.
The training aimed to strengthen the capacity of legislative staff from the House of Representatives and the Senate to advance legislation that upholds the rights and promotes the welfare of refugees, asylum seekers, stateless persons, populations at risk of statelessness, and internally displaced persons—collectively referred to as the people we work for and with. The capacity building sought to enhance knowledge of international and national protection frameworks, provide a platform for forcibly displaced and stateless persons to share lived experiences, immerse legislative staff in community realities to inform responsive policymaking, and identify concrete avenues for collaboration in the 20th Congress.
A key component of the dialogue focused on the Philippine Safe Spaces Act (PSHEA), with in-depth discussions on regulations addressing sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse. The session emphasized the protection of women, children, and minors, and underscored the role of legal safeguards in creating safer and more inclusive spaces for displaced communities.
During Session 2D: Stories of Hope & Resilience, PACCI’s Executive Director, Mr. Raffy El-Hawi, delivered a profound and moving speech that highlighted the resilience of displaced communities and the urgent need for protective legislation grounded in dignity and lived realities. The session showcased personal stories of displacement alongside PACCI’s work in supporting refugees, offering human-centered perspectives that enrich legislative discourse and policymaking.
This follow-up engagement also amplified refugee leadership voices from PACCI through the participation of Mr. Adil Habona, one of PACCI’s refugee members. Reflecting on his experience, he shared:
“I was deeply honored to attend this significant UNHCR-hosted event through PACCI’s invitation. Engaging in discussions on protection and rights, alongside government and humanitarian leaders, reaffirmed the importance of collective action in upholding the safety, dignity, and rights of refugees and asylum seekers.”
PACCI’s participation reflects its ongoing role in bridging refugee communities, civil society, and government institutions. By centering lived experience and promoting trauma-informed, rights-based approaches, PACCI continues to support collaborative efforts toward inclusive legislation and durable solutions for refugees and other displaced populations in the Philippines.
