Millions of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Philippines experience human rights issues during their displacement. Their rights and access to basic life-saving services are impacted by their forced movement and its resulting, often prolonged, displacement. Durable solutions are also less prioritised in displacement management. Though a legal framework on disaster governance exists, it lacked a human rights perspective that could integrate human rights standards into humanitarian support. With the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) spreading in the country, IDPs are at a higher risk of contracting the disease due to inadequate shelter conditions. As the government battles both the spread of the virus and the need to restart the economy in a post-COVID-19 pandemic scenario, IDPs must be included in the national and local frameworks for recovery. This article discusses the situation of IDPs in the Philippines and looks into the policy gaps that limit opportunities for effective displacement management. It also surfaces human rights issues that must be addressed by the government in its socio-economic revival agenda and discusses the accountability of state actors in providing opportunities for IDPs to achieve durable solutions. The article also establishes the need for an IDP law in institutionalising protection for IDPs post-COVID-19. © 2020 Author(s) [2020]. All rights reserved.