Last 13 September 2018, the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) issued Memorandum No. 2018-12, amending the DENR’s Code of Conduct in order to protect itself against tobacco industry interference. SEATCA in a statement called on all government agencies to step up their efforts to implement the WHO FCTC by proactively setting up safeguards, like adopting the JMC, against unnecessary interactions with the tobacco industry, rejecting grants from and partnerships with the industry, and implementing transparency measures to protect policies from industry interference. READ Press Release