The Philippine delegation to the ongoing 11th Conference of the Parties (COP) of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) received strong praise from farmer groups and advocates for asserting the country’s sovereign right to assess proposed measures in accordance with national priorities and capacities—particularly where these measures could affect rural livelihoods and tobacco-growing communities.

Ambassador Carlos Sorreta, head of the Philippine delegation to the WHO FCTC, underscored in his opening statement the importance of responsible transitions for communities that still depend on tobacco as the crop still supports communities in the Philippines.

“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 also stressed that the Philippines places importance on “sovereignty and different national contexts in the implementation of guidance.”

The position emphasizes that new ideas or recommendations under the FCTC are optional and should adopted only if they fit well with the country’s current policies, after careful review and coordination among government agencies.

The delegation’s stance drew praise from local groups concerned about the impact of such ‘extreme’ proposals, citing potential socio-economic consequences if stringent proposals were applied without regard for local realities.

The Northern Luzon Alliance (NLA), a congressional bloc composed of representatives from tobacco-growing provinces, said the Philippine position helped ensure that policies inconsistent with agricultural conditions in tobacco-growing regions would not be imposed.

“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) emphasized the longstanding role of tobacco in 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 acknowledged 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.”