Advancing Advocacy: ISSUP Philippine Chapter's March 2026 Activities

March 2026 has been a productive month for the ISSUP Philippine Chapter, with representatives participating in various events. Each activity reflects the Chapter's continued commitment to working together with government agencies and non-government organizations that share our advocacy for drug demand reduction and mental health in the Philippines.

Isang Milyong Gabay 3: A National Recovery Coaching Summit

The ISSUP Philippine Chapter, in partnership with AnchorED 1M, co-hosted the Isang Milyong Gabay 3 : A National Recovery Coaching Summit on Addiction and the Power of Trust in Healing, held in Baguio City, Philippines last March 15, 2026. The summit was an invitation to all - the youth, government employees, teachers, and community members - to become a pillar that helps uphold the resilience of the Filipino, especially in the arena of mental health.

In terms of substance use specifically, the summit recognizes that recovery does not end after treatment and that sustainable healing requires everyone's help, not just mental health professionals or medical institutions. Participants were introduced to the TIWALA Recovery Coaching Framework as an ethical, trust-based, and evidence-informed model that equips non-clinical supporters to walk alongside individuals in recovery and reinforce the resilience of the people around them. 

IMG 3 is part of the AnchorED 1M movement, a non-government organization and, in spirit, a national mission to train and mobilize one million recovery coaches by 2031. The Chapter shares in its ambition and is an active partner to AnchorED 1M. In pursuit of this goal, we hope to achieve a degree of care in the Philippines that extends beyond clinical settings and into the communities where healing truly takes hold.

DOH 5th Public Health Convention for Mental Health

The ISSUP Philippine Chapter attended the Department of Health's 5th Public Health Convention for Mental Health on March 18 to 19, 2026 in Metro Manila, Philippines. This convention brought together government agencies, local government units, non-governmental organizations, the academe, and the private sector to strengthen collaboration under the 2023-2028 Health Sector Action Agenda. It reaffirmed the gains made since the passage of the Mental Health Act (Republic Act No. 11036) in 2018, including expanded services through capacity-building, improved access to medication, and crisis hotlines.

The conference also highlights a shift in the Philippines’ approach to illicit drugs, formalized in an enhanced Philippine Anti-Illegal Drugs Strategy (PADS). Drug dependence is formally recognized as a biopsychosocial condition brought about by factors such as mental health, family dynamics, and social circumstances. This is a condition that demands a continuum of care from prevention to reintegration, delivered through community-based services free from stigma.

2026 Alternative Dispute Resolution Orientation

The Chapter also participated in the 2026 Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Orientation conducted by the Office for Alternative Dispute Resolution (OADR), an attached agency of the Department of Justice (DOJ). Held online on March 18, 2026, the orientation covered the basic concepts and legal foundations of ADR under Republic Act No. 9285, the establishment of ADR programs, and the mandate and services of the OADR.

By attending this Orientation, the Chapter is able to reinforce its commitment to working with government agencies whose work touches on the legal and social dimensions of addiction and recovery. Building familiarity with ADR mechanisms also deepens the Chapter's capacity to contribute meaningfully to justice-related conversations and to advocate for more humane and rehabilitative approaches within the legal system.

Taken together, the Chapter's activities this March reflect a purposeful strategy of remaining present and influential across the many dimensions of addiction and mental health advocacy, from high-level policy to grassroots movements. We continue to pursue partnerships with like-minded organizations and agencies, confident that these collaborations will contribute to more integrated and humane outcomes for every Filipino in need of care.