Recognizing the immense contributions of Filipinos overseas to the Philippines’ relief, rehabilitation, and development efforts, former President Corazon C. Aquino has declared December as the “Month of Overseas Filipinos” through Proclamation No. 276 signed on 21 June 1988.
In a speech marking this occasion in 1990, former President Corazon C. Aquino tasked the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) to establish an awards system that will give recognition to their contributions to the country.
Following this directive, the CFO in cooperation with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) formulated the guidelines for the “Search for Outstanding Filipinos and Private Individuals and Organizations Overseas.” The Award was envisioned to pay tribute to various Filipino individuals and private associations overseas who have rendered personal services, given an idea, financial and/or material contributions, or other acts of assistance which have contributed immensely to the country’s bid for reconstruction and growth, as well as furthering the cause of the Filipino migrant community. While the Awards are geared mainly toward Filipinos overseas, the efforts of foreign individuals and associations towards relief and rehabilitation are also given due recognition.
The Awards then was composed of the following four (4) categories: 1) Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino (LINKAPIL) Award, 2) Kaakabay ng Bayan Award, 3) Kaanib ng Bayan Award, and 4) Commission on Filipinos (CFO) or Banaag Award.
On 19 December 1991, a total of 36 individuals and associations based in 13 countries and territories were conferred with the Awards and Special Citation (1) by former President Aquino as part of the commemoration of the Month of Overseas Filipinos.
Realizing the need to provide a permanent system of recognition for the valuable contributions being made to Philippine developmental concerns by Filipino individuals and organizations abroad, and to formulate appropriate incentives and awards program for Filipinos overseas who continue to help the country through the years with their tireless efforts, donations and remittances, former President Aquino issued the Executive Order no. 498 which institutionalized the awards system as the “Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations” (PAFIOO).
The PAFIOO has evolved through the years expanding its award categories to recognize the excellence and achievements of overseas Filipino individuals in their profession through the Pamana ng Pilipino Award.
Since its institutionalization in 1991, the PAFIOO has been bestowed by the Presidents of the Republic biennially upon 541 individuals and organizations overseas based in 55 countries in territories.