ASEAN Integration 2015: Its Impact

Echoes From

BY JOHNNY DAYANG

Not known to many is the unawareness of our people – more particularly those residing in the countrysides – about the ASEAN Economic Integration 2015.

ASEAN – which stands for Association of South East Nations – is consolidating its strength beginning next year, 2015. It is an ASEAN regional effort to enhance its economic leverages in the world market.

For the Philippines, the impact of ASEAN Integration can improve our products, our industry development, our educational system, and our competitiveness.

Already, the Department of Trade and Industry, through its investments promotion arm, the Board of Investment (BOI), has held a recent forum in collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd) to discuss the K to 12 Basic Education Program. The forum was aimed at informing and updating the public and various stakeholders on Industry Development Road maps.

Human resources development is a common concern identified among the submitted industry road maps to the BOI, according to Adrian S. Cristobal, Jr., Trade Undersecretary for Industry Development and Trade Policy. He is also BOI managing head.

The need for massive efforts to inform our people about the ASEAN Economic Integration is really a must. It looks like, however, that only DTI and the Department of Foreign Affairs are spearheading the much needed information campaign. In the Visayas and Mindanao, the need to inform our people about the transition that takes place next year is still nil.

Happily, the Northwestern Visayan Colleges (NVC) headed by its president, lawyer Allen Salas Quimpo, is spearheading a movement to inform and update educators, students and key sectors of Aklan. Quimpo, who served for 3 terms as Aklan Congressman, used to chair the House Committee on Education. 

He has scheduled an ASEAN Economic Integration Forum on February 28 at NVC in Kalibo, Aklan with Louie T. Arriola, President of the Publishers Association of the Philippines, Inc., Usec. Cristobal, and DFA Assistant Secretary Teresita VG. Bersana of DFA ASEAN Affairs, as special guests to address the forum.