The Philippine delegation at the 11th Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) earned praise from agricultural stakeholders and civil society groups this week after emphasizing the country’s sovereign authority to review proposed measures based on national priorities and capacities.
The position is seen as a safeguard for rural livelihoods and the tobacco-growing sector, which remains a primary source of income for nearly 20 provinces, according to agricultural groups.
Ambassador Carlos Sorreta, head of the Philippine delegation, stressed in his opening statement the need for “socially and economically responsible” and inclusive transitions for communities reliant on tobacco cultivation.
He noted that the crop continues to support livelihoods across the Philippines and any transition must be “consistent with our laws and the Convention.”
Sorreta said the Philippines prioritizes “sovereignty and different national contexts in the implementation of guidance,” affirming that proposed measures under the FCTC are non-binding and should enhance existing national efforts rather than impose restrictions.
Local organizations expressed concern that overly stringent global proposals could lead to adverse socioeconomic outcomes if implemented without sensitivity to the national context.
The Northern Luzon Alliance (NLA), a congressional bloc representing tobacco-producing provinces, lauded the delegation’s position. The NLA said the Philippine stance “safeguards against the imposition of policies misaligned with the agricultural realities of tobacco-growing regions.”
“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,” the group said.
They described such measures as “unrealistic, overly punitive and incompatible with the country’s agricultural and economic realities.”
The NLA warned that accepting the proposals “would have amounted to an economic death sentence for entire agricultural provinces and the industries linked to them.” They added that such measures would severely harm rural livelihoods, disrupt lawful industries and jeopardize revenues that fund essential public services.
The Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) pointed out tobacco’s enduring contribution to the economic stability of rural communities. “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,” it said.
The FFF said the delegation’s stance reflected a clear understanding of on-the-ground 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,” the FFF said.
