03 January 2024 – The Philippine Embassy in Canberra is accepting nominations for the 2024 Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas (PAFIOO). It is spearheaded by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) and conferred by the President at a ceremony in Malacañang.

The PAFIOO is a biennial search to honor and recognize overseas Filipinos and other individuals or organizations who contribute to Philippine development initiatives or promote the cause and interest of the Filipino diaspora/overseas Filipino communities.

The awards are also given to overseas Filipinos who have exceptionally distinguished themselves in their work or profession, and have brought pride to the Filipino nation. A distinct category in the awards is also reserved for foreign individuals or organizations for their exceptional contribution to the Philippines and for advancing the cause of overseas Filipino communities. The following are the categories:

1. Lingkod sa Kapwa (LINKAPIL) Award – conferred on overseas Filipino individuals or organizations for their significant contributions to the development of a particular sector/local community in the Philippines.

2. Banaag Award –conferred on overseas Filipino individuals or organizations for their significant contributions in the host country that have benefited and advanced the cause and interest of the Filipino diaspora/ overseas Filipino community.

3. Pamana ng Pilipino Award – conferred on overseas Filipino individuals who, in exemplifying the talent and industry of the Filipino, have brought the country honor and recognition through excellence and distinction in the pursuit of their work or profession.

4. Kaanib ng Bayan Award – conferred only for foreign individuals (natural-born) or foreign organizations for their significant contributions to Philippine development or a particular sector/local community in the country and for advancing the cause of the Filipino diaspora/overseas Filipino community.

Interested parties from the ACT, Queensland, Western Australia and Northern Territory are requested to submit completed nomination forms and supporting documents to the Philippine Embassy in Canberra by 15 April 2024. To ensure the transmittal of the nominations to the CFO before 30 May 2024, the Embassy will not process nominations received after 15 April 2024. For guidelines, downloadable forms, and other relevant information about the awards, you may visit www.presidentialawards.cfo.gov.ph and its official Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/gawadpangulo/ . END