MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine delegation to the 11th Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) was commended by farmers’ groups and sectoral advocates for upholding the country’s sovereign right to evaluate proposed measures based on national priorities and capacities, especially those with potential impacts on rural economies and tobacco-growing communities.
In his opening statement, Ambassador Carlos Sorreta, head of the Philippine delegation, stressed the need for responsible transitions for communities that remain dependent on tobacco, noting that the crop continues to support livelihoods across various regions in the country.
“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 added that the Philippines places importance on “sovereignty and different national contexts in the implementation of guidance.”
The delegation’s position emphasized that new proposals under the FCTC are voluntary in nature and should only be adopted after due review and alignment with existing national laws.
This position drew praise from local groups who argued that several of the more stringent proposals under discussion could carry significant socio-economic consequences if applied without consideration of local conditions.
The Northern Luzon Alliance (NLA), a congressional bloc representing tobacco-growing provinces, said the Philippine stance helped prevent the imposition of policies that do not match agricultural realities.
“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) also highlighted the crop’s enduring role in rural life. “Tobacco remains a primary source of livelihood across nearly 20 provinces…More importantly, this is the only source of decent income many families have known for generations.”
The group said the delegation’s approach reflected an understanding of these realities.
“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.” /cb
