Overseas Filipinos play a key role in Philippine national development. Their contributions to the Philippines have been immense, ranging from remittances to diaspora philanthropy services. Despite acquiring the citizenship of their adopted country, they continue to maintain filial links and manifest an abiding interest in the progress and development in their country of origin.

As a fitting tribute to overseas Filipinos, President Corazon C. Aquino issued Proclamation No. 276 on 21 June 1988, institutionalizing the commemoration of the Month of Overseas Filipinos every month of December. Since then, Commission on Filipinos Overseas has conducted various activities in recognition of the outstanding achievements and immense contributions of overseas Filipinos to the Philippines and the global community.

On October 10, 2007, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed Administrative Order No. 202, instituting the Inter-agency Committee (IAC) on the Celebration of the Month of Overseas Filipinos. Chaired by the Philippine Migrant's Right Watch and co-chaired by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, the IAC was tasked to prepare an inter-agency program to commemorate the events to promote the welfare of Filipino migrants, recognize their role in nation-building and national development, strengthen their ties with the Philippines, and raise public awareness on various issues affecting them.

Since its establishment, the IAC has organized migration conferences, cineforum series and concerts for overseas Filipinos and their families.