CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY
Thank you, Honorable Chairperson.
Under your able guidance, the Philippines is confident that this High-Level Debate will realize its goals and will meaningfully contribute towards preparations for the 2016 United Nations General Assembly Special Session on the World Drug Problem.
The Philippines associates itself with the cross-regional statement delivered by Jamaica.
The Philippines welcomes the progress achieved since the adoption of the 2009 Political Declaration and Plan of Action and, through continued and concerted global efforts, we strive to achieve our targets by 2019. National efforts are guided by the five-pillar strategy that addresses the issues of drug supply reduction, drug demand reduction, alternative development, civic awareness and international cooperation. This strategy is underpinned by a consciousness that is both development-driven and individual-centered.
On supply reduction, enforcement operations have resulted in the seizure of narcotic drugs with an estimated street value at billions of pesos. These operations have also led to the arrest of high-value drug-personalities and syndicates, dismantling of clandestine laboratories and the eradication of cannabis plantation sites. 2014 accomplishments surpassed that of the previous year by 12%.
On demand reduction, Philippine programs on preventive education, treatment, rehabilitation and research have been geared towards various sectors, particularly the youth. For instance, we are currently implementing a program called D.A.R.E. or the Drug Abuse Resistance Education. This program advocates to the youth the ill effects of drug abuse, strengthens their resolve to resist peer pressure to take narcotic drugs and capacitates them to act as catalysts for positive change within their own communities.
However, beyond the gains there persist challenges that require a shift to an approach that balances demand and supply reduction activities, as priorities are often skewed towards the enforcement side. This imbalance is often manifested in that supply reduction initiatives get a larger chunk of the resource pool. To address this, earlier this year, the Philippines reviewed and revised the National Anti-Drug Program of Action to show the much-needed balance between drug supply and demand-oriented programs.
Mr. Chairperson,
National gains have been heavily supported by strategic international partnerships and cross-border cooperation, notably with international drugs and narcotics boards, agencies, civil society and international organizations. However, as we combat narcotic drugs in a battleground that continuously shifts: increased human mobility in this globalized age, new drug formulations that pose a challenge to detection and the cyber-sphere as a new platform where drugs are peddled — are just some of the emerging challenges.
The Philippines is concerned with the practice of victimizing migrant workers and using them as drug couriers. Illegal recruiters and human traffickers are working with drug traffickers who require their victims to carry or use packages or luggage that are not their own, which are packed with illegal drugs.
We must, therefore, continue to strengthen partnerships, both national and international, and match our moral commitments with the necessary allocation of resources. The community of nations must continue to innovate, to create and strengthen platforms where technology, science and research will more effectively contribute to combat the drug menace.
The Philippines is confident that a multi-dimensional approach is a positive way forward in solving the world drug problem and we remain committed to comprehensive, integrated, unified, and balanced efforts in the fight against drugs.
Mr. Chairperson,
In closing, the Philippines lauds all Member States for their efforts in combatting the drug problem. We take this opportunity to rearticulate our national commitment to contribute meaningfully in the fight against drugs.
Thank you.