Manila: The Philippines has welcomed eight additional Rohingya refugees who will pursue undergraduate degrees at selected universities across the country, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced Friday. The eight, who arrived in Manila on Thursday, are beneficiaries of the Philippine government’s Complementary Pathways (CPath) program, which offers tertiary education opportunities and comprehensive support services to displaced Rohingya refugees in Southeast Asia.

According to Philippines News Agency, the program is a reflection of Manila’s ‘enduring tradition of offering refuge and solidarity,’ the DFA said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). ‘(They will stay in the Philippines) at least until their studies are completed. Support for their tuition and cost of living comes from private donors,’ the DFA told the Philippine News Agency in a separate message on Friday. The department declined to provide further details on where the refugees will stay or the schools they will study in while in the Philippines for safety reasons, noting that they are still fleeing persecution.

The CPath is a joint effort by the Philippine government, United Nations Refugee Agency, and academic partners, including Columban College, De La Salle Araneta University, San Beda University, St. Louis University, Tarlac State University, and University of St. La Salle. The DFA noted that the Philippines is hosting 25 Rohingya refugees under the program, six of whom arrived in 2022, eight in 2023, one in 2024, and a total of 10 this year.