At the 𝟔𝟗𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐃𝐫𝐮𝐠𝐬 (𝐂𝐍𝐃) in Vienna, Austria, Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) Chairperson – Secretary Oscar Valenzuela conveyed the Philippine Country Statement, highlighting the country’s national strategy in addressing the world drug problem.
Secretary Valenzuela shared that the Philippines’ approach is anchored on three pillars: drug supply reduction, drug demand reduction, and the President’s priority thrust on health, social, and developmental services, reflecting a response that is both firm and humane.
Central to this strategy is community action, where local government units and communities work alongside national agencies in implementing anti-drug initiatives at the grassroots level. Supporting this approach, the DDB has issued Guidelines on Community-Based Interventions, implemented through local health centers in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), providing individuals affected by drug use access to appropriate health, social, and developmental services within their communities.
The Philippines also continues to sustain drug supply reduction efforts. In 2025, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and partner law enforcement conducted 39,491 anti-drug operations, resulting in the seizure of approximately ₱48 billion (USD 816 million) worth of dangerous drugs, controlled precursors, and essential chemicals.
Recognizing that the drug problem transcends national borders, the Philippines underscored the importance of enhanced bilateral, regional, and international cooperation, including information sharing, joint operations, capacity building, and technical assistance.
The Philippines likewise emphasized the sovereign right of States to determine appropriate approaches in addressing their drug problems, while observing the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-intervention. The country also raised concern over the emerging threats posed by New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) and highlighted efforts to establish an Early Warning System (EWS) Framework to strengthen monitoring and response to evolving drug trends.
Secretary Valenzuela reaffirmed that anti-drug efforts in the Philippines are conducted in accordance with the rule of law, with mechanisms that promote accountability and ensure alignment with constitutional safeguards and international obligations, including respect for human rights,
The Philippines concluded by reaffirming its commitment to advancing a balanced, humane, and sustainable response to the world drug problem, ensuring that communities, particularly the youth, are protected from the harmful effects of illegal drugs.
