Prominent groups commended the Philippine delegation at the 11th Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) for underscoring the country’s sovereign authority to assess proposed policies in line with national priorities, existing laws, and the needs of sectors that rely on tobacco production.
During the opening session, Ambassador Carlos Sorreta, head of the Philippine delegation, stressed the importance of ensuring that any transition affecting tobacco-growing areas is handled in a fair and sustainable manner, especially for communities whose livelihoods still depend on the crop.
“We must ensure transitions are socially and economically responsible as we work to diversify livelihoods and sustain investments, consistent with our laws and the Convention,” he said.
He further emphasized that the Philippines places a premium on “sovereignty and different national contexts in the implementation of guidance.”
The delegation’s position reflects the view that recommendations under the FCTC are non-binding and are intended to complement existing national frameworks.
Local groups welcomed this position, warning that certain proposals under discussion could trigger negative economic consequences if applied without regard to country-specific realities.
The Northern Luzon Alliance (NLA), a congressional bloc representing tobacco-producing regions, said the Philippine stance helps prevent policies that fail to reflect the agricultural and economic conditions of these provinces.
“We applaud the Philippine delegation for standing up for the welfare of farmers, consumers, and communities in tobacco-growing provinces and not agreeing to proposals to end government support for growers, impose quotas, and phase out tobacco sales are unrealistic, overly punitive, and incompatible with the country’s agricultural and economic realities,” the group said.
“Had these proposals been accepted, it would have amounted to an economic death sentence for entire agricultural provinces and the industries linked to them. Such measures would severely harm rural livelihoods, disrupt lawful industries, and jeopardize revenues that fund essential public services,” they added.
The Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) reiterated tobacco’s importance to rural economies. “Tobacco remains a primary source of livelihood across nearly 20 provinces… More importantly, this is the only decent source of income many families have known for generations.”
The group said the delegation’s position demonstrated an understanding of lived realities on the ground. “In protecting our farmers and the communities reliant on this crop, the Philippine delegation has done an act of compassion and fairness. They chose to listen to the people who would have suffered first and most. For that, we are deeply grateful. They protected not just our crops, but our dignity and our future.”