OPENING STATEMENT OF SENATOR TG GUINGONA III
SUB-COMMITTEE ON THE COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE & HUMAN RIGHTS
First Public Hearing on SBN 2368: "Rights of Internally Displaced Persons Act"

The Philippines is among the countries with the largest population of Internally Displaced Persons or IDPs, owing to many factors such as: a) the fact that the country is located along the "typhoon belt" and within the "Pacific Ring of Fire;" and b) perennial insurgencies between the government and armed rebel groups.

The catastrophic Typhoon Yolanda that hit Visayas, the three-week Zamboanga stand-off between the Moro National Liberation Front and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the catastrophic earthquake in Bohol are testaments to how internal displacement is a paramount public concern.

IDPs are particularly vulnerable to all forms of exploitation, and violence. Their socio-economic status, psychological state, physical health and over-all well-being take a heavy toll as a result of displacement. The very nature of their internal displacement puts them in particular danger. The state, therefore, needs to afford them special protection. And this bill exactly aims to promote and protect the rights of internally displaced persons and penalize acts of arbitrary internal displacement.

We look forward to listening to the views and suggestions of our resource persons to further enhance this bill.

Thank you!