2015 ASEAN Integration

THE ASEAN COMMUNITY 2015: BENEFICIAL TO THE PHILIPPINES
By 2015, the ten nations that make up the Association of Southeast Asian Nations envisions an “ASEAN Economic Community,” which will establish a highly competitive single market and production through the integration of their economies. There will be free flow of goods, services, investment capital and skilled labor following the liberalization. These will include tariff reductions and streamlining of certain administrative procedures. Many businesses have begun preparing themselves three years ahead of time to meet the challenges and opportunities of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). The Philippines is committed to the goal of achieving this by 2015. This paper argues and is concerned with elaborating the benefits of the 2015 ASEAN Integration to the Philippines.
As we all know, the ASEAN has significantly affected the Philippines in different aspects. It is very evident that the Philippines has made more allies and connections because of the ASEAN. Since the moment that the five foreign ministers from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines sat down together in the main hall of the Department of Foreign Affairs building in Bangkok, Thailand and signed a document known as the ASEAN Declaration, the alliance was recognized as the most successful inter-governmental organization in the developing world today.
Another advantage that the country could get is the job opportunities given to the Filipinos. As more investors are being attracted, businesses will grow and there will be more jobs and opportunities. The integration needs labor and labor means needing more manpower. The bonus is that members of the ASEAN enjoy visa-free privileges to ASEAN countries. This will surely offer convenience and accessibility to Overseas Filipino Workers or OFWs. These OFWs will be able to work in any ASEAN country of their choice.
Trade is also rapidly burgeoning and will further boom. Through the ASEAN Integration, the Philippines participates in a regional free trade area, an economic community, a framework to prevent financial crises, and a wider trade network involving China, Japan, Republic of Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand. Imports and exports flourish because of its free-trade agreement (Crone, 1983, p. 65). To show some numbers, the annual intra-ASEAN trade ballooned from three hundred seventy-six billion U.S. dollars in 2009 to five hundred ninety-eight billion U.S. dollars in 2011, and is projected to comprise thirty-five percent of the group's total trade volume by 2020.
The security and the peace and order between the Philippines and members of the ASEAN can be attained via discussion of differences which is done and promoted by the association. The ASEAN was originally intended to serve as a security community, promoting social and political stability during a turbulent time in the region. In addition to preventing intraregional flare-ups, it provides a way for the countries to create a voice for themselves in the broader Cold War arena so that the Southeast Asian area would speak as one on particular issues. To that end, ASEAN signed the Zone of Peace, Freedom, and Neutrality accord in 1971. The resolution signaled ASEAN's refusal to be divided along Cold War lines (Solidum, 1999, pages 3 to 5).
I believe in the saying that no man is an island. Government wise, ASEAN has allowed the country to create diplomatic ties among other members and even nonmembers of the said association. ASEAN has helped the citizens and the economy of the Philippines through job opportunities. Lastly, security has been provided to the Philippines through the ASEAN. With the 2015 ASEAN integration, the Philippines would not only benefit in various areas but also become one with the other members. Together as ten, the member countries of ASEAN are stronger and can do more than one country alone. These countries will work together to keep the region safe. Surely, with peace comes prosperity. The good things that come with stronger economic development will be enjoyed by the citizens. Indeed, the quality of life will improve. 2015 is just around the corner and all the more it makes us want to look forward to what the future holds. With these, I conclude that this integration is beneficial to the country.