PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed all government agencies to support the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) in the conduct of the 2026 Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas (Pafioo). ”All government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned or -controlled corporations, are hereby directed, and all local government units, nongovernment organizations and the private sector are hereby encouraged to extend full support to the CFO in the conduct of the 2026 Pafioo,” the president said in Memorandum Circular 112, signed on Jan. 15 and issued through Executive Secretary Ralph Recto. The call for nominations for the 2026 Pafioo opened on Dec. 11, 2025. Marcos directed the Presidential Communications Office to implement effective measures to inform and encourage the public to nominate outstanding overseas Filipinos for the awards. “The successful conduct of the 2026 Pafioo requires the dissemination of information and the active participation of government agencies and instrumentalities, as well as the general public, in identifying and endorsing qualified nominees,” he said. The Pafioo is a biennial award conferred by the President of the Republic of the Philippines on outstanding overseas Filipinos, as well as foreign individuals and organizations, who contribute to Philippine development initiatives or promote the cause and interest of the Filipino diaspora or overseas Filipino communities. The awards are also given to overseas Filipinos who have notably excelled in their professions and have brought pride to the Filipino nation. There is a specific category for foreign individuals or organizations that have made exceptional contributions to the Philippines and advanced the causes of overseas Filipino communities. Nominations for the award categories — Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino Award (Linkapil), Banaag Award, Pamana ng Pilipino Award and Kaanib ng Bayan Award — will be accepted until May 29. Linkapil is conferred on overseas Filipino individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the Philippines’ development and progress. The Banaag Award recognizes those whose efforts have significantly benefited a sector or championed the cause of Filipino communities overseas. Meanwhile, the Pamana ng Pilipino Award is conferred on those who have brought honor to the Philippines through excellence and distinction in their professions, such as in the arts, sports, sciences and business, among others. The Kaanib ng Bayan Award recognizes foreign individuals or organizations that have significantly championed the cause of Filipino communities. A multistage evaluation process will be conducted before the conferment of the awards in December. Established in 1991 through Executive Order 498, the Pafioo has been conferred by seven Philippine presidents on 555 individuals and organizations from 55 countries and territories. The award highlights the enduring excellence, selfless service and deep commitment of overseas Filipinos and international partners to nation-building. Section 3(d) of Batas Pambansa Blg. 72 (s. 1980), or An Act Creating the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) and for Other Purposes, mandates the CFO to initiate and directly undertake the implementation of special projects and programs, whenever necessary, to promote the welfare of Filipinos overseas with respect to their interests and activities in the Philippines. CFO Secretary Dante Ang II earlier said the biennial recognition was part of the CFO’s mandate to promote the interests of overseas Filipinos and recognize their role in national development. ”Through the Pafioo, the CFO recognizes the powerful impact of global Filipino communities as partners in building the nation,” Ang said. In 2024, Ang said 13 outstanding awardees were honored by President Marcos, including Zita Cabais from France (Banaag); Neurosurgery Outreach Foundation, United States (Lingkod sa Kapwa); Melvin Sanicas, Switzerland (Pamana ng Pilipino); and Bader Ahmed Al Zafeen, United Arab Emirates (Kaanib ng Bayan).