Aklan council for ASEAN economic integration mulls

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Former Aklan congressman Allen Salas Quimpo favored the creation of an Aklan council to prepare for the opportunities and impact of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) economic integration.

The regional initiative designed to transform Southeast Asia nations, of which the Philippines is a part of it, into a more unified and competitive market zone, will be fully implemented in December 2015.

The proposal for an Aklan council was introduced by Quimpo during the Kapihan sa Aklan organized by Aklan Media Forum. The forum is held every Saturday in partnership with Publishers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PAPI) and the Federation of Provincial Press Clubs of the Philippines, Inc. (FPPCPI) at NVC Carmen Hotel 

The proposed council, Quimpo said, will be tasked to adopt programs and linkages with government agencies, to raise awareness and consultations with sectors and leaders on the upcoming regional economic integration by 2015.

Quimpo further stressed, ‘the proposed council will crystallize the response of the province of Aklan for the ASEAN economic integration and will serve as a pivotal body to ensure that every idea will be heard.”

The proposed Aklan council was an offshoot of ASEAN Economic Integration Forum of Northwestern Visayan Colleges last week to promote a better understanding of the 2015 transition.

Quimpo said Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Plaridel Morania is willing to sponsor a provincial resolution for the proposed Aklan council. 

ASEAN members including Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam decided to create the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) to deepen and broaden their economic integration, requiring liberalization and cooperation among the members.