Is the Philippines Ready for the ASEAN INTEGRATION?

The Philippines is gearing up for the integration of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) come end of 2015.  A discussion that is very concomitant for the past years.


What is ASEAN INTEGRATION?

According to Ian Jester M. de Vera (entrepreneurship.org.ph), the blueprint for realizing an ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by 2015 was adopted and signed by ASEAN Leaders in November 2007 in Singapore during their annual Summit Meeting.  One of the main objectives of an AEC is to create a single market and production base by ensuring a free flow of goods, services, investment, capital and skilled labor.

The Philippines is one of the signatories in the AEC Blueprint, which means the country, along with other ASEAN Member States (AMS), should be open to zero import duties for ASEAN products and services by 2015.  AMS nationals, meanwhile, should be able to work anywhere in the region without a work permit.

The Integration is expected to boost investments, job creation, and incomes in the region.  While the ASEAN Integration is expected to level the playing field among industries in the region, it is also expected that Philippine firms should brace for an intense competition with their ASEAN counterparts.  An intense competition will therefore raise the bar for innovation, quality and productivity, which will enable businesses to compete head on with other players.

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There are several good economic factors that indicate that the Philippines and our people especially the health workers will benefit from this integration, however, others inclined that there are several stumbling blocks to the alliance.

This union of states has been the “most talked about” subject in the business world since early last year.  I’ve seen and hear it everywhere be it on business news or business section of the print media.  Benguet State University likewise joined the loop as the theme for its 98th Foundation Day last year was…

 "BSU @98: Gearing up for the challenges and opportunities of ASEAN 2015,”

As such, Mindanao Daily News reported, that the Benguet State University (BSU) is continuously improving its institutional status ranking being the 23rd among higher educational institutions in the country and in the top ten in terms of agriculture-related programs in preparation for the ASEAN Integration.


What is ASEAN INTEGRATION for me?

ASEAN INTEGRATION is one huge leap for the Philippine economy.  Imagine our workforce especially the newly graduates who will be increasing by half a million come March, they will be given a chance to work in ASEAN countries given that they meet the qualifications.  As a mother, I was tickled pink by this good news, and hopeful with my sons future that the professional horizon is now wider to accommodate those who work hard with their crafts.

Constructive impingements will be no working visas required within ASEAN countries; Filipinos can invest in other ASEAN countries especially on their stock markets; and duty free taxes, amongst others.

I think we are more than ready.  There is no stopping now.  Philippines is rising Global.  Go Philippines!

Where is Papua New Guinea in Information Communication and Technology?

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Here in Papua New Guinea in terms of ICT expansion, there is still a long way to go.  Papua New Guinea's landmass is parallel to California's. Their population is at only 7.3 million.  However, it was reported that only 50% of the population has sim cards.   Mobile communications availability is expected to cover 100% of population as communication companies expands its communication towers across the countryside, hence great challenges are present in expanding and maintaining communication infrastructures.

Let me share few instances in relation to the above, when my husband's team was rolling out a telecom project expansion in the remotest of the remote areas here in Papua New Guinea by putting up microwave discs and cell site towers, I can never forget the strain he suffered in managing this specific project.  His team on site composed of Fijians (people from Fiji) are being harassed several times by village people where they were putting up the cell sites.  At some point utilities and machines are being stolen from the sites.  There was one instance that village people put a road block going to the towers so as the working team could never enter the premise.  Another was when a property owner was asking for a storage fee when the working team left few of their items on site and they had to pay money like a ransom so they can get their stuff back.  Worse of which was when they were held captive by the village people and were not allowed to leave the place for days until a compensation was given to them for using the space or the land.  Clearly, they evade to realize the essentials of putting these towers in their community so as to innovation, and consequently progress and development will pass on to them.

Further, price of broadband internet usage here is ridiculously high which is another restraining component in achieving success in ICT expansion, coupled with the fact that majority of people here are poor.  For 1.5gigabytes of download use(yes, there is no such thing as unlimited internet here), I will have to pay P1200 pesos.  For locals, this is already a vast amount of money to survive them two or three days of daily meals.  However, the silver lining in this unpopulated and unsaturated internet traffic, is its significant speed using LTE technology in mobile.  Relatively faster download and upload in comparison to Marilao Bulacan using Smart's unlimited broadband.

Truly, innovation is transformation.  Hence, ICT development must be pressed by the government beyond the limitations.

French President Paid A Visit To The Philippines

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In a recently concluded visit of French President Francois Hollande, he sought to sound a global alarm on climate change ahead of a crucial UN summit.   The French president is strongly commendable as he is determined to broker a historic pact in Paris to save the world from catastrophic impacts of climate change, and he went to the storm-battered Philippines to highlight those feared consequences.

I can relate this visit to United Nation's Millennium Development Goal 8 (MDG8) - A GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FOR DEVELOPMENT .   I was moved when Hollande regarded his visit to the Philippines as a "show of unity that could serve as a model in the lead-up to Paris for rich and poor nations".  He further emphasized in one of the news articles, "that a Paris accord could not succeed unless rich nations generously and adequately helped developing nations cope with climate change and build clean energy infrastructure."  In addition, President Aquino stated that "We, as a developing country, welcome that countries like France have emerged as global partners."  I highlighted the fact that this event truly, lives up to MDG8 objectives.

Hollande in Yolanda struck Samar
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Moreover, apropos to the MDG8 targets where developed countries providing financial aids to developing nations, "In Guiuan Samar, Hollande announced 1.5 million euros ($1.7 million) in aid for the French non-government organisation ACTED to help local storm-vulnerable communities in the Philippines.  This followed a pledge from Hollande on Thursday of 50 million euros ($56 million) in loans to help prevent future weather-related disasters in the Philippines.

Thank you Mr. Hollande, it was a worth while visit Filipinos will never forget.

NEWS SOURCE:

France's Hollande visits typhoon-hit Philippine town 

Women's Month

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Juana, Desisyon Mo ay Mahalaga sa Kinabukasan ng Bawat Isa, Ikaw Na…

Greetings to all the empowered women out there!

HAPPY WOMEN'S MONTH!!!

#NationalWomensMonth