Rizal Hall, Malacañan Palace
December 19, 2016

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte bestowed this year’s Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas to sixteen (16) individuals and six (6) organizations to honor their notable achievements and contributions as global partners to the country’s development efforts. The awarding ceremony took place at the Rizal Hall of Malacañan Palace.

In his message, the President expressed his deepest gratitude to the awardees for their kindness and humanity in serving their fellow Filipinos both here and abroad, saying that God will repay them through good karma.

He reiterated his commitment to protect the innocent civilians of the country against the evils of illegal drugs, despite the serious and deep problem of four million drug addicts facing the country. According to the President, he is doing this to save the next generation of Filipinos and simply because he loves his country.

The Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas is a biennial awards system that aims to recognize Filipinos and other individuals or organizations that contribute to Philippine development and progress, or promote the interests of overseas Filipino communities. The award is also given to Filipinos based overseas who have distinguished themselves in their profession and brought honor to the Filipino people.

Since being institutionalized in 1991 through Executive Order No. 498, the awards system has honored 437 Filipinos and private organizations overseas. It has four categories – the Kaanib ng Bayan Award, Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino Award, Banaag Award, and the Pamana ng Pilipino Award.

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