United Nations in Philippines

The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in the Philippines.

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Publication

14 October 2025

United for Progress: 80 Years of United Nations Partnership with the Filipino People

This year marks eight decades of global service - a celebration of the UN’s enduring legacy, offering an opportunity to reflect on today’s global challenges and share a vision for the future.The celebration also brings together various stories that were key in capturing the spirit of partnership, collaboration, and unity that marked the beginning of the United Nations’ presence in the Philippines and the country’s historic entry as a founding member state.Through these stories, we witness how the United Nations and the Filipino people came together to rebuild communities, foster peace, and promote sustainable development. Each story reflects a shared commitment to progress and a vision for a better future, built hand in hand, one step at a time.Stories of Partnership with the Filipino People
Click on the links below to read the full stories
Land, Livelihoods, Legacy: IFAD’s Commitment to Indigenous Peoples' Empowerment in the PhilippinesFrom the highlands of the Cordillera to the coasts of Mindanao, this story explores how IFAD have supported in empowering communities to protect their heritage, improve their standard of living, and lead inclusive rural development.
Labour Code: A blueprint for decent workThe Philippines made history in 1974 by enacting Asia’s first Labour Code, a landmark achievement shaped with the guidance of the International Labour Organization (ILO). This enduring legal framework institutionalized workers’ rights, social dialogue, and tripartism, laying the foundation for decent work and social justice. Its legacy continues today, including in the Bangsamoro region, where a new labour code aims to support peace and development.
Breaking barriers, Saving lives: How UNAIDS has helped drafting Philippines' landmark HIV lawsRepublic Act 11166, the Philippines’ landmark HIV law passed in 2018, marked a turning point in the country’s HIV response by allowing minors aged 15 and above to access testing and treatment without parental consent. This life-saving reform was the result of over a decade of advocacy and technical support from UNAIDS, which played a key role in shaping both RA 11166 and its predecessor, RA 8504. The law has since enabled more inclusive, rights-based healthcare, expanded access to preventive treatment, and empowered people living with HIV to lead the conversation.
Building Safer Migration Pathways for Filipino Migrants The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has worked with the Philippine government and civil society for five decades to build safer, more sustainable migration pathways for Filipino workers. From supporting survivors like Angel to helping establish the Department of Migrant Workers, IOM has played a key role in shaping policies, promoting ethical recruitment, and ensuring dignified reintegration for returning migrants.
UNICEF, protecting every child in the Philippines now and then through the power of vaccinesFor over seven decades, UNICEF has been a vital partner in the Philippines’ efforts to protect children through life-saving vaccines. From eradicating polio and maternal and neonatal tetanus to supporting emergency immunization during crises like Super Typhoon Haiyan and the COVID-19 pandemic, UNICEF has helped ensure that even the most vulnerable children are reached. Its recent innovations, such as the DigiVacc digital immunization suite, continue to strengthen the country’s health systems and safeguard every child’s right to a healthy future.
Going beyond Yolanda: Revolutionizing emergency response through family food packsIn the aftermath of Super Typhoon Yolanda, the World Food Programme (WFP) partnered with the Philippine government to revolutionize emergency response through the mechanization of family food pack production. By establishing disaster resource centers and enhancing logistics capacity, WFP helped the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) preposition millions of food packs nationwide, enabling faster, more efficient disaster relief. This collaboration has since evolved to support social protection programs and build long-term resilience through training and infrastructure, ensuring timely aid delivery during crises.
Three Decades of Peace: UNDP accompanying the Bangsamoro journey for peace and developmentFor over 30 years, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been a key partner in the Philippines’ journey toward peace in Mindanao, supporting the reintegration of former combatants, transforming conflict-affected areas into Peace and Development Communities, and helping shape the Bangsamoro peace process. From grassroots capacity-building to high-level negotiations, UNDP’s sustained efforts have contributed to turning war zones into spaces of governance, inclusion, and hope.
Forging Progress: How Metals and International Cooperation Power Philippine Industrialization Since the 1960s, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has played a pivotal role in advancing the Philippines’ industrialization through its partnership with the Metals Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC). From establishing specialized laboratories and training centers to providing durable machinery and technical expertise, UNIDO’s support has empowered generations of Filipino engineers and technicians. This enduring collaboration continues to evolve, now focusing on sustainable industrial growth, clean energy, and digital innovation to strengthen the country’s global competitiveness.
UNHCR in the Philippines: Five Decades of Protection, Hope and HumanityFor five decades, UNHCR has partnered with the Philippines to protect refugees, stateless persons, and internally displaced communities. From aiding Vietnamese boat people in the 1970s to supporting Rohingya youth through education today, UNHCR has helped shape the country’s humanitarian legacy.

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Press Release

20 January 2025

Vulnerable communities in Surigao find new livelihood opportunities and improved housing with UN support

SURIGAO CITY, PHILIPPINES – A United Nations joint programme launched in Surigao in October 2024 is already showing tangible results: families from vulnerable communities in the city have identified entrepreneurial and business opportunities to improve their living conditions. The “Localize to Realize: Accelerating Sustainable Development Goals’ (SDG) implementation for local and vulnerable groups and communities of women, indigenous peoples and informal settler families” (L2R SDG) implemented by UN Habitat and UN Women and funded by the global Joint SDG Fund focuses on supporting Sama Bajau and informal settler families in the city. Aquaculture development, a materials recovery facility, and a neighborhood store that can be upscaled to an e-commerce platform are some of the initial livelihood programs proposed by at least 80 families during community consultations. L2R SDG follows a participatory and community-driven model where indigenous groups and informal settler families can engage with local and national governments in SDG-based planning, budgeting, and decision-making activities. “Localizing the SDGs is about empowering communities to shape their own futures. By tailoring SDG initiatives to the unique cultural and socio-economic contexts of each community through involvement in decision-making, we pave the way for greater inclusion of vulnerable communities,” according to UN Philippines Resident Coordinator Gustavo Gonzalez.Representatives from the Sama Bajau Council and informal settler associations are members of the L2R SDG steering committee and are an inherent part of decision making. “Dako kaayo nig [tabang] sa amoa kay mavoice-out namo among gusto. Pasalamat kaayo mi na beneficiary mi sa mga balay ug naa pay SDG para sa among kabataan. (This is a big help for us because we can voice out what we want. We are thankful that we are beneficiaries of the housing project plus the SDGs which will benefit our youth),” Sama Bajau Council member Ronald Bastiong said. They are also given a platform to provide inputs on how local initiatives can be aligned with their realities on the ground."The city government of Surigao wholeheartedly commits to support the initiatives that uplift marginalized communities - particularly the Sama Bajau who contribute so much to the culture fabric of our city," Surigao City Mayor Pablo Yves Dumlao II said. Housing improvementsThe Sama Bajau indigenous group is actively involved in the design and construction of culturally sensitive settlements under the Huy-anan nan Bajau sa Surigao (Home for Bajaus in Surigao) Project implemented by UN Habitat and funded by the Spanish Government through the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID). "We have a fantastic partnership here - not many events have so many stakeholders engaged with that level of commitment and for UN Habitat, we need to follow through at many different levels. Our commitment to the communities is to continue the people's process and we are extremely proud and happy of the partnership that we have," UN Habitat Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific Human Settlements Officer Bernhard Barth said. Through the project, Sama Bajau families will move to a resettlement area which is also being developed as an ecovillage by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).Currently, these groups reside in neighborhoods with no proper access to basic water and sanitation facilities.As of this year, four housing units have been built - with one under construction. 20 units or five quadruplex stilt houses are targeted under the project.“The desire and the wish of the Spanish Cooperation is to try to be with you [Sama Bajau] in the future to be possible to build double or triple of these houses. It is not only a house - it is a future, it is a better life,” according to Violeta Dominguez Acosta, Head of AECID Philippines.Bringing SDGs to the familiesA better understanding of development principles enables vulnerable communities to overcome stigma and help themselves. This is why the communities in the city received training on sustainable development goals and its impact on the lives of the communities organized by UN Women and UN Habitat.This included a facilitated discussion on the rights of women, and children and highlighted the essential role of women-led households in improving living conditions. Trainers showed parents how to monitor the development of their children under a new scheme called Family Actions for Children and their Environs in Surigao (FACES). Over 80 families are participating in the programme.“It is a privilege to work and be part of Localize to Realize project where we hope to see lived realities and vulnerabilities of women and IP communities surfaced and addressed with an SDG lens. We know that local women and IPs when informed, engaged, and empowered will not just be beneficiaries but key contributors to inclusive and sustainable development,” according to UN Women Philippines Country Coordinator Rosalyn Mesina.The implementation of the L2R SDG joint programme and its complementing projects represent a significant step towards achieving the SDGs in Surigao City. “This collaborative approach fosters inclusivity, empowers local voices, and builds resilient communities. Joint programmes such as the L2R SDG is a driver for meaningful, fit-for-purpose development," Gonzalez added.The L2R SDG joint programme aims to localize the SDGs by establishing a participatory and community-driven model that can unlock and support vulnerable communities to engage with local and national governments in SDG-based planning and budgeting and access programs and services that are responsive to the differentiated socio-economic needs and priorities of population groups.It is funded through the Joint SDG Fund using funding from Spain as well as the governments of Belgium, Denmark, the European Union, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Sweden and Switzerland.

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Story

18 November 2025

Breaking barriers, saving lives: how UNAIDS has helped drafting Philippines’ landmark HIV laws

   "At 17, Krang Martir stood in a clinic, alone and scared. He had decided to get tested for HIV after suspecting he may have been exposed when a trusted friend abused and raped him. But he hit a wall: the law at the time did not allow minors to access HIV services without parental consent – and he did not feel comfortable disclosing details to his parents. At that moment, even as he tried to take control of his health, the law made him wait. That wait could have cost him everything.  Thankfully, a clinic worker who empathized with him helped him get tested, which opened the door to treatment. Today, young people in Krang’s situation no longer face that same barrier. In 2018, the Philippines passed a landmark HIV law - Republic Act 11166 - allowing people as young as 15 to access HIV testing and treatment without parental consent. The law didn’t just change policy. It saved lives. And it opened the door for a more inclusive, compassionate HIV response.  “Through RA 11166, we didn’t just protect all Filipinos, from womb to tomb, against the threat of HIV, we also provided support to the children, families, partners, and support groups of people living with HIV”, said Elena Felix, co-founder of the Association of Positive Women Advocates, Inc.

For more than a decade leading up to the law’s passage, UNAIDS worked alongside communities, government agencies, and civil society organizations to make this possible. Behind the scenes, it brought in global guidance, supported consultations, helped build consensus across sectors, and ensured that those most affected were leading the conversation.

“This wasn’t a one-year push,” said Bai Bagasao, UNAIDS Philippines Country Director from 2008 to 2016. “It took over a decade of advocacy, technical inputs, and persistent work with civil society, lawmakers, and health officials.”

The story of RA 11166 begins long before its enactment. In 1998, the Philippine AIDS Prevention and Control Act, also known as RA 8504, became the country’s first comprehensive legal response to HIV – also developed with support from UNAIDS. At the time, it was a progressive step to strengthen public awareness, establish the Philippines National AIDS Council, and enshrine into law protections for people living with HIV.

Geoffrey Manthey, the first UNAIDS Country Director in the Philippines, was directly involved in the advocacy for RA 8504. “Back then, passing the law was about breaking the silence,” he recalled. “We needed a framework that recognized HIV as a public health and human rights issue, not just a medical one. It was about protecting people who were most at risk, even when talking about HIV was still taboo.”

But as the years passed, the epidemic evolved. The virus began to spread rapidly among young Filipinos, especially among young men who have sex with men. Yet legal restrictions kept them from getting timely help.

Gerard Belimac, who once led the Department of Health’s National HIV and AIDS Program, remembers those years as a race against time. “We saw the numbers rising, especially among youth, but the law had not caught up. It didn’t reflect the realities on the ground,” he said. Many young people, afraid of rejection or not ready to talk to their families, avoided testing altogether. The result was late diagnosis, missed treatment, and sometimes lives lost.

RA 11166 was signed into law in December 2018. It did more than address the consent issue. The law streamlined testing and treatment procedures, embedded HIV education into schools, and updated national guidelines to reflect the latest global standards. It also strengthened the approach to view HIV not just as a medical condition, but also as a rights issue.

That shift continues today. In 2022 and 2023 alone, UNAIDS and its UN partners supported wide-reaching reforms. PrEP - a preventive medication - was added to the national drug formulary, enabling procurement through government channels. Over 50,000 people from key populations accessed it. PhilHealth, the national insurance provider, raised its HIV treatment reimbursement rates by 95%. And testing and treatment are expanding into new spaces, with faster turnaround times and better community-based systems.

“Laws don’t change things overnight,” said Louie Ocampo, UNAIDS Philippines Country Director. “But they create space. They legitimize what people have already been doing on the ground - and that makes a huge difference.”

Ms. Felix sees the law as a symbol of how far the country has come - and how far it still has to go. “This law gave us space to be heard,” she said. “To be seen not just as patients, but as advocates.”

It’s a perspective echoed by Malou Quintos, UNAIDS Philippines’ Community-Led Responses Adviser. “We’ve moved from fear to hope. But the most powerful shift has been that people living with HIV are now leading the conversation.”

For Krang, now 26, the transformation is personal. He now speaks publicly about his experience and works to support young people who feel lost like he once did. “I wish I had this kind of law back then,” he said. “But I’m grateful it’s here now.”

Despite major successes, the work continues. Stigma remains. Many Filipinos still face barriers to care. But the path is clearer now - and more inclusive. With the United Nations celebrating 80 years of global service, the Philippines HIV response offers a striking example of how international cooperation and partnership, grounded in local realities, can deliver long-term results.

As Krang put it, “This law doesn’t just protect us, it tells us we matter. And that’s something no one can take away.”

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18 November 2025

UNICEF, protecting every child in the Philippines now and then through the power of vaccines

Vaccines are among the greatest advances of modern medicine. They have contributed to better health and well-being, led to substantial savings on treatment costs, and promoted more productive societies. UNICEF has been working hand-in-hand with the Philippine Government since 1946 to ensure that every child is protected from life-threatening and vaccine-preventable diseases. UNICEF has helped eliminate Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus and end two polio outbreaks in the country. Here is a look back at some highlights of UNICEF’s work in the Philippines to help reach every child in the country with safe, effective and life-saving vaccines. 1940s-1950s When it opened its doors in 1948, UNICEF’s first health programmes focused on tuberculosis and reducing infant and child mortality and morbidity. In the 1950s, UNICEF carried out anti-malaria campaigns and immunization drives against contagious diseases such as tuberculosis, yaws (a chronic infection that affects mainly the skin, bone and cartilage) and other childhood diseases. By the end of the 1950s, the anti-yaws campaign covered all affected areas in the Philippines. 1970s UNICEF assisted the Philippine Government in launching an immunization programme against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, tuberculosis, and polio, with a focus on children living in slums. 1990s The Philippines began buying its own vaccines through the vaccine independence initiative, which enabled the country to get vaccine supplies under flexible payment terms. UNICEF supported this initiative through bridging payment intervals. 2000s: Three decades after the national vaccination programme started, polio was declared eradicated in the Philippines. Immunization drives continued to reach remote villages. In 2007, UNICEF launched the Days of Peace campaign in Mindanao following the signing of a Joint Communiqué between UNICEF and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The ceasefire enabled health workers to reach children in conflict-affected areas with essential and life-saving health services, many of which were suspended because of the armed conflict. 2010s In the wake of destruction caused by Super Typhoon Haiyan, UNICEF and World Health Organization (WHO) supported the Government-led emergency and relief operations in vaccinating 33,000 children under the age of 5 in the typhoon-affected city of Tacloban to give protection against measles and polio. In 2017, the Philippines eliminated maternal and neonatal tetanus with support from UNICEF and WHO. After being polio-free for nearly two decades (1992), the Philippines declared a polio outbreak in 2019. UNICEF and WHO supported the Philippine Government to increase immunization coverage via outbreak response immunization and supplementary immunization activities to stop polio transmission in the country. 2020 Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, UNICEF continued to support the Department of Health to ensure the continuity of its routine immunization programme and supplementary immunization activities for polio and measles. UNICEF also assisted the Philippine Government in its application to the COVAX Facility to help the Philippines access fair and equitable COVID-19 vaccines. The 2019 polio outbreak came to an end in 2021, thanks to comprehensive outbreak response actions facilitated by UNICEF in collaboration with WHO and the Department of Health. The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) launched the Measles Outbreak Response Immunization (MORI) in early 2024, vaccinating around 1.2 million children, and successfully stopped the disease from spreading. Digital health technologies have contributed to a more efficient delivery of health services. In 2025, UNICEF, with funding support from the Government of Japan, handed over DigiVacc, a digital immunization suite designed to strengthen the coverage of fully-immunized children in the Philippines, to the Department of Health. Challenges remain, and we must stay vigilant in preparing and responding to outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. In a world facing increasing instability and inequality, UNICEF continues its unwavering commitment to support the Government, and partners reach every child in the Philippines with life-saving vaccines - just as it has for decades - so that they grow up healthy, happy and empowered to leave productive lives.

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18 November 2025

Land, Livelihoods, Legacy: IFAD’s Commitment to Indigenous Peoples' Empowerment in the Philippines

For generations, the indigenous peoples (IPs) of the Philippines have woven their lives into the fabric of their ancestral lands. For them, these lands are more than a place to live: They are the heart of their identity, the source of their traditions, and the foundation of a sustainable existence. Years of research have shown that indigenous communities are the best protectors of the forests they call home. Yet, for many, this connection was threatened by a lack of formal recognition of custodianship: this puts their livelihoods, culture and very futures at risk. Without secure rights to the lands they stewarded for centuries, a legacy of environmental harmony and cultural knowledge could disappear. However, many indigenous communities have been turning the tide with support from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). Built on respect and empowerment, IFAD’s partnership with indigenous peoples enables IPs to lead their own development and transform their ancestral domains – a term that refers to their land rights in national law – into pillars of strength and opportunity: 400,000 IPs have benefitted from such initiatives over the last three decades. The Philippine Action Plan for Family Farming 2019-2028 acknowledges IFAD’s crucial role in supporting IPs, including on land-related protection. Securing the Foundation: From Stewardship to Legal Rights The journey begins with the land itself. Recognizing that true empowerment starts with secure land tenure, IFAD has made strengthening ancestral land rights a cornerstone of its work since 1997. In the highlands Cordillera Administrative Region, for instance, the Cordillera Highland Agricultural Resource Management Projects (CHARM I & II) helped Indigenous communities secure legal recognition of their ancestral lands. Reaching 170 barangays—99 per cent of which were Indigenous— CHARM II pioneered an approach where communities pledged customary stewardship of vital watersheds. This approach, rooted in indigenous knowledge systems and practices, bridged traditional governance with environmental protection and provided over 220,000 IPs with a continued livelihood. Similarly, in Mindanao, the Western Mindanao Community Initiatives Project (WMCIP) and the Northern Mindanao Community Initiatives and Resource Management Project (NMCIREMP) were instrumental in supporting indigenous groups to turn ancestral land claims into official titles. Datu Balitungtung, a Higaunon tribal leader who participated in the project, said: “I have been working for 20 years for IP governance. But I have never [before] found what IP governance should look like...; it’s simple but with concrete steps... that coalesce the Indigenous Peoples’ structures and institutions.” Through these projects, communities got the tools they needed to protect their land and plan their development in culturally sensitive ways. Cultivating Opportunity: From Rights to Resilient Livelihoods Securing land rights is only the beginning to unlocking opportunities and building sustainable livelihoods. The CHARM projects introduced sustainable agriculture and natural resource management techniques based on indigenous knowledge systems and practices, while the other projects supported a range of initiatives led by locals, from building marine sanctuaries to rehabilitating mangroves and farming upland, all tailored to fit their specific context and culture. To ensure the economic benefits reached those who needed them most, various projects launched funding facilities dedicated to the poorest households, with a focus on indigenous peoples, including women-led families. These funds have supported micro-enterprises and community groups, proving that even modest investments can spark significant change when communities are in the driver's seat. For example, the Paddaoan Livestock and Livelihood Association, in Apayao Province took advantage of a small CHARM loan – around US$ 2000 –to purchase a new variety of piglets that were distributed to the 21 members of the group. They also received training in organic swine production, bookkeeping and business management. Households had typically raised just one pig of the native variety at a time, keeping it tied to a tree trunk until it was butchered and the meat distributed to relatives. They now raise an average of two pigs – one for fattening, one for sow raising. Both are profitable: a grown pig will sell for over US$ 250 and typically each sow will give a minimum of two litters of 5-10 piglets a year, which sell for a total of US$ 400-800. Dionisio Talang, one of the members, said: “People are more involved now that they actually know how to raise livestock and take care of it instead of just leaving their animals tied to a tree. This project has taught us how to do business and it has raised our standard of living.” Using the extra income, the association was able to pay back the initial loan. IFAD’s Indigenous Peoples Assistance Facility (IPAF) has directly empowered communities to design and implement their own initiatives. It has funded grassroots projects focused on food security, environmental sustainability and cultural resilience, ensuring that livelihoods are not only economically viable but also culturally affirming. Average poverty incidence between 2017 and 2022 declined by 14.5 per cent in areas that received IFAD support. Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future: A Legacy for All Times The partnership strengthens indigenous heritage while empowering communities to shape their own future, highlighted Ilaria Firmian, Senior Technical Specialist at IFAD. “By championing indigenous leadership, recognizing customary laws and integrating traditional knowledge into climate actions and food systems, IFAD’s approach reinforces identity and self-determination,” she said. Platforms like the Indigenous Peoples’ Forum and the Agriculture and Rural Development Knowledge and Policy Platform, along with annual national consultations, have become vital spaces for dialogue. They have highlighted the importance of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) – a human right that requires that indigenous peoples receive accessible information and be consulted about and consent to any activities undertaken on their land – and showcased the critical role that Indigenous youth and women play in building inclusive and resilient food systems. “This journey—from securing land to building livelihoods and preserving a legacy—offers a powerful model for inclusive rural transformation,” Firmian said. “It demonstrates that when indigenous peoples are empowered to lead their own development, they can build sustainable futures rooted in their rights, knowledge, and traditions.” As the United Nations marks its 80th anniversary in the Philippines, the work of IFAD and its indigenous partners stands as a powerful example of what can be achieved when development is built on a foundation of respect and empowerment.

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15 November 2025

UNTOC at 25: Multilateralism remains key to addressing transnational organized crime

MANILA. Multilateralism and international cooperation are more critical than ever in addressing online and transborder crime in an increasingly digitalizing world, said Philippine government experts at an event organized by the United Nations to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC).Organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs Crime (UNODC), in partnership with the Ateneo de Manila University School of Law, and with support of the United Kingdom, the event convened over 130 delegates representing the Philippine government, diplomatic community, legal profession, and the youth for a dialogue on the continued relevance of UNTOC 25 years on.With the theme “Follow the Money,” the forum’s discussions focused on the work being done by state authorities to track down the international money flows that sustain criminal activities, such as trafficking in persons, money laundering, corruption, which have been evolving with the rapid development of technology and increased virtual connectivity.“The task of following the money has become more complex,” said Undersecretary Anthony Alcantara, Executive Director of the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime. “Because money trails no longer stop at our borders, no single nation can uncover them alone. International cooperation is not optional. Every case today requires shared intelligence, shared technology, and our shared resolve.”Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin shared the Philippines’ commitment to addressing transnational organized crime, highlighting the government’s efforts to stop the illicit activities of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
“The [Marcos] administration has taken bold and decisive action to defeat or eliminate the scourge of online criminality. The massive crackdown against illegal POGO hubs and scam syndicates has set a strong message that the Philippines will refuse to be a haven for criminal enterprises,” said Mr. Bersamin.In a report released earlier this year, UNODC identified the proliferation of scam centers in Southeast Asia as one of the most significant developments in the region’s criminal ecosystem. The syndicates that run these hubs control interconnected networks that facilitate money laundering, trafficking in persons, and cyber-enabled fraud.“The world has changed since 2000,” said UNODC Program Office in the Philippines’ Country Manager Daniele Marchesi. “The challenges here in Southeast Asia are particularly alarming, but there are lessons we have learned since the UNTOC took effect 25 years ago. “We need political commitment, international cooperation, and stronger capacities on financial investigation. We also need to focus on prevention, by including youth.” To keep up with the changing landscape of transnational organized crime, world leaders from 72 countries convened last month in Hanoi, Viet Nam to sign the United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime, the first comprehensive global treaty dedicated to combating crimes committed through information and communications technology systems, including online fraud, child exploitation, and illicit data trafficking.“This success of multilateralism is proof that the spirit of Palermo [where the UNTOC was signed in 2000] is alive even in the digital age,” said Mr. Marchesi.In addition to messages from the Philippine government, the event to commemorate the UNTOC’s 25th anniversary also featured a panel discussion on international cooperation with a panel composed of the Ambassadors of Italy, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and South Africa to the Philippines, a presentation on why the UNTOC matters to young generations by Mathew Joseph, former Deputy Senior State Counsel of the Attorney-General’s Chambers Singapore and Delegation Leader of Singapore to the UNTOC Negotiation Session in Vienna, and a panel discussion on youth, education, and whole-of-society approaches to disrupting transnational organized crime.

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Press Release

01 October 2025

Statement of solidarity by the United Nations in the Philippines

We extend our deepest sympathies and unwavering solidarity with the people of Cebu and surrounding areas following the devastating earthquake that struck the province. This follows multiple storms that have hit the country these past weeks. We mourn the loss of lives and the suffering endured by families and communities, and we stand with all those affected during this difficult time. The United Nations commends national and local authorities for swift response. We are, together with the government and partners, assessing impact and remain ready to support response and recovery efforts. We commend the courage and dedication of first responders, medical personnel, and volunteers who are working tirelessly to save lives and provide relief. In moments of crisis, unity and compassion are our greatest strengths. The United Nations reaffirms its commitment to stand with the people of the Philippines and to help build back stronger, safer, and more resilient communities.

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Press Release

24 September 2025

Philippines Humanitarian Country Team Welcomes Republic Act No. 12287, Institutionalizing Anticipatory Action in Disaster Preparedness and Response

Manila - The Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) in the Philippines welcomes the signing of Republic Act No. 12287, also known as “An Act Establishing a Mechanism on The Declaration Of State Of Imminent Disaster”. RA 12287 is a landmark piece of legislation and the first in the world that institutionalizes anticipatory measures, empowering national and local authorities to take early action to protect lives and livelihoods before a disaster strikes.Anticipatory actions are proactive measures that can prevent or reduce the impact of hazards, such as climate-related events, before they fully unfold. It involves using early warnings and forecasts to deploy humanitarian assistance before the peak impacts which helps to save lives and livelihoods and protect development gains.We commend the Government of the Philippines for its leadership in institutionalizing anticipatory action. We also recognize the Anticipatory Action Technical Working Group (AATWG), the Policy, Financing and Institutionalization Technical Sub-working Group (PFI TSG) co-led by World Food Programme, for their significant technical support and for providing a platform for learning and exchange across multiple anticipatory action initiatives.The HCT recognizes RA 12287 as a significant policy that strengthens the Philippines’ disaster risk reduction and response system. It aligns with the HCT’s commitment to localization, resilience, and inclusive humanitarian action. The law empowers local government units (LGUs) and communities to act before a disaster. The HCT supports the integration of anticipatory action into local disaster risk reduction and management plans to reinforce preparedness at the community level, and advocates for an all-hazards approach.The HCT stands ready to continue working in close collaboration with the AATWG, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), LGUs, local NGOs and civil society organizations, the private sector and other stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of the law. This includes the development of implementing rules and regulations and investing in capacity-building initiatives.The Philippines HCT, under the leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator, Arnaud Peral, ensures that humanitarian action by its members is well coordinated, principled, timely, and effective. The HCT comprises UNs agencies, international NGOs, local NGO networks, the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) with observers from the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement and donor governments. The HCT acts in support of and in coordination with national and local authorities with the objective of ensuring that inter-agency humanitarian action alleviates human suffering and protects the lives, livelihoods and dignity of people in need.------------Media ContactMelissa Correa - melissa.correa at un.org

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Press Release

11 September 2025

Statement of Commitment - Road Safety

Statement of CommitmentFollowing the meeting with the United Nations Secretary General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety, Mr. Jean Todt, and the United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Philippines, Mr. Arnaud Peral, the private sector partners in the motorcycle transportation, taxi, and delivery sectors, hereby affirm our shared commitment to improving road safety across the Philippines.We recognize the vital role our industries play in the daily lives of millions of Filipinos. With this responsibility comes the duty to uphold the highest standards of safety for our drivers, passengers, and the communities we serve.We commit to:Strive for the highest safety standards in our operations, guided by evidence-based practices and international benchmarks and as mandated by the Philippines laws, rules and regulations.Support and actively engage with government regulators to advocate for the enhancement of road safety policies and protect workers in the transport and delivery sectorsEncourage safe driving behaviours, including the responsible and minimal use of mobile phones while on duty; zero tolerance for driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs; and diligent observance of mandated and recommended speed limits.Promote, advocate for and support the use of UN-standard compliant helmets for all our drivers and riders. Together, we pledge to be champions of safer roads and workplaces, and to continuously improve our practices in pursuit of a safer Philippines.Manila, 11 September 2025Angelina ThamFounderEJ dela VegaChief Commercial OfficerJerico A. MenesesSenior Vice PresidentWayne JacintoGeneral Manager Djon NacarioManaging DirectorWitnessed by Jean Todt, Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety

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Press Release

25 August 2025

UP Manila Receives Forensic Pathology Equipment from UNODC

The University of the Philippines Manila received forensic pathology equipment from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) on Aug. 20, 2025, for the improvement of the conduct of investigations on custodial deaths in the country. The donated equipment includes one mortuary refrigerator worth P1.4 million, one body weighing scale worth P223,000, and one body cart worth P580,357.14. The new equipment will improve the storage conditions of bodies subject to autopsy and help safeguard forensic autopsy evidence. In March 2025, the UP-PGH Department of Radiology also received a portable X-ray machine from the UNODC, which has since been utilized for autopsies. UP Manila Chancellor Michael Tee said the donation will greatly help the pathology department in performing autopsies on deceased Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) inmates. Last year, UP Manila, UNODC, and the Department of Justice signed a Declaration of Cooperation to Strengthen Procedures to Investigate Custodial Deaths of Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs). The document acknowledges the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, also known as the “Nelson Mandela Rules.” This covers the general management of prisons, ensuring that they adhere to international standards and protocols, including the protection of prisoners against inhuman treatment or punishment. At the time, the DOJ announced a change in the protocol for handling the deaths of PDLs: instead of sending the bodies to funeral parlors for embalming, they would first be brought to UP Manila for forensic examination. UP Manila has been receiving autopsy referrals for BuCor custodial deaths since 2022. The process was formalized and enhanced following the signing of the Declaration of Cooperation in 2024. To date, there have been 139 custodial deaths referred to the Department of Pathology of UP Manila since 2022. Meanwhile, there have been 44 custodial deaths referred to UP Manila since July 2024.

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Press Release

07 August 2025

Surigao City Achieves Breakthroughs in SDG Localization Through UN-Implemented Joint Programme

Manila, Philippines —Empowering vulnerable communities by aligning the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to the realities of the Sama Bajau and informal settler families (ISFs) in Surigao City is the centerpiece of Localize to Realize (L2R) – a joint programme spearheaded by the United Nations Philippines, which ceremonially concludes today.Implemented by UN-Habitat and UN Women under the guidance of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, together with stakeholders from the government, private sector, and funding from the Joint SDG Fund, L2R is a community-driven programme where indigenous and informal settler groups are given a platform to engage in inclusive and gender-responsive SDG-based planning and programming with the government to develop programs and interventions that are tailor-fit to their gender and culture-differentiated needs. The Sama Bajau and the ISFs are some of Surigao City’s most vulnerable communities due to the impacts of climate change through the years and their unique living conditions – with the Sama Bajau being sea nomads and many ISFs residing in dangerous areas.

“With a strong commitment and collaboration with each other, we started to adopt the Localize to Realize approach with the end in view of accelerating the SDGs right in the heart of the city,” said Surigao City Vice Mayor Alfonso Casurra. From Vision to ImpactThe L2R joint programme serves as a catalyst in aligning local governance and community action with the SDGs – reflected in the reforms taking place in Surigao.“Norway has consistently supported the Sustainable Development Goals since their inception and is one of the major contributors to the Joint SDG Fund. This project ticks the boxes of many priorities gender equality, environment and climate resilience, sustainability, and local ownership. I must also highlight the importance of localization – and underscore the crucial role of local governments – in accelerating the achievement of sustainable development outcomes," according to Deputy Head of Mission of the Norwegian Embassy in Manila Geir Michalsen.Barangay resolutions to institutionalize the gains of the joint programme have been passed by the government. This includes securing a permanent seat for the Sama Bajau in the Barangay Development Council and deploying members of the communities as “tanods” or law enforcement officers in the barangay level. Development plans in the city such as the Surigao City Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Comprehensive Development Plan will also take into consideration the unique context of the sea-based Sama Bajau community in future undertakings.Higher educational institutions such as the Surigao del Norte State University also updated their admission policies to support the education of Sama Bajau and the ISFs.“Ten percent of our admission population will be allocated to the underrepresented communities. We will strengthen our support services to ensure that learners from the marginalized communities don’t just enter the university, but thrive within them,” Surigao del Norte State University President Rowena Plando said. The 80 participating families under the L2R joint programme are now also equipped with the technical know-how to monitor their progress and identify further needs through the SDG Family-based Actions for Children and their Environs in Surigao (FACES) Monitoring Report – which is available in both digital and manual platforms.

“With the right tools, data, and support from stakeholders, vulnerable families and communities are finding meaning and acting on the SDGs,” said UN-Habitat Philippines Country Programme Manager Christopher Rollo.

The mobile application for SDG monitoring is currently being developed and updated to integrate gender dimensions.“We recognize the pivotal role of women in leading the households in Surigao’s vulnerable communities, so it is important that they also take lead in monitoring and determining significant factors that will uplift their living conditions. Having them shape and articulate their needs, we can very well expect that they will be among the most invested and committed to the success and sustainability of any initiatives,” UN Women Philippines Country Program Coordinator Rosalyn Mesina said.

Quick-response mechanisms designed to address the immediate needs of the Sama Bajau and ISFs have also been established through the joint programme. These interventions were identified by the groups themselves and include a neighborhood store, a materials recovery facility, a learning center, and a study to explore the possibility of aquaculture as a livelihood source.“Dako ni nga tabang sa amoa, nga ang eskwelahan sa mga bata halimbawa duol na lang sa amoang huy-anan kay mahatagan silag oportunidad na makatuon (This is a big help for us – that the learning center for example is close to our village because our children are given the opportunity to learn.),” according to Sama Bajau Magdakau Homeowners’ Association President Bay Jhonny Sapayani. To ensure continuity of support from stakeholders and consistent engagement with the communities, partnerships with local and national government, academic institutions, and the private sector have been strengthened through regular committee meetings under the joint programme. “We recognize the importance of strengthening collaborations among the national and local governments, development partners, civil society organizations, and concerned stakeholders in addressing the needs of our local communities and providing where they can participate in various government processes and mechanisms,” Department of Local and Interior Government (DILG) Assistant Secretary for International Relations Lilian De Leon said. Scaling up and moving forward Learning from this successful pilot programme will be key for nationwide impact in localizing SDGs, according to UN Philippines Resident Coordinator Arnaud Peral. “What we really want is to catalyze and systematize the best practices and successes of the L2R joint programme, so it could become a standard practice for public policy and also for us in the international community to improve the way we work,” he said. National government agencies including the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the DILG will now be implementing localized and SDG-aligned strategies in their programs for settlement planning and smart city development, respectively. Support from the joint programme also helped the government of Surigao del Norte in preparing the country’s first provincial-level Voluntary Local Review (VLR). VLRs are sub-national reviews of SDG implementation where issues at the local level are considered. This follows the previously completed VLR of Surigao City. A resolution passed by the Regional Development Council also encourages the provincial VLRs to be replicated by the rest of the provinces in the CARAGA region.

The L2R SDG joint programme is funded through the Joint SDG Fund using funding from Spain as well as the governments of Belgium, Denmark, the European Union, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Sweden and Switzerland.

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