PHL shows readiness for Asean market integration next year

AS the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) brace for the unification of the regional markets next year, the Philippines has already displayed its preparedness toward Asean 2015, according to Dr. Veronica Caparas of Asian Institute of Management.

“The process of Asean integration has been happening for more than a decade now. The Philippines has shown readiness, through various government and business leaders, to actively and willingly integrate since then,” she told the BusinessMirror.

Caparas noted that the country, which is prone to natural disasters, is in the period when the whole world is experiencing climate changes that lends Asean 2015 a giant of a hurdle.

Adding to this, she said that the nation teems with traditional politicians who are “fascinated” with bureaucracy and corruption.

“[So] we are indeed faced with tough challenges. Fortunately, our current national leader, President Benigno C. Aquino III, is on the forefront of fighting the evils of corruption. He is our ‘ace’ in Asean 2015,” the professor of management communication said.

Since “One Asean” presents an opportunity for the Philippines to work with other nine-member nations of the regional group, Caparas said that it should lead in the “promotion of strong cooperation and healthy competition” among its neighbors. “We cannot cooperate unless we compete. Eventually, we need to ‘coopete,’ meaning, cooperate and compete simultaneously,” she said.

With the Asean region soon to become one giant economy, Caparas sees that family corporations, small and medium enterprises and deregulated businesses on agricultural produce will still comprise the country’s economic engine.

Among other industries that she expects, the strength of the local service sector will play a big role once the Asean Economic Community, of which the Philippines is a part, is realized by 2015. She warned, though, that the overdue educational reform impacts labor recognition, comparative advantage and professional credentialing worldwide as K to 12 is yet to be implemented.

All these challenges, however, she said could still be addressed with able leadership and good governance.

“Our country has to sustain a leadership that is committed to fighting graft and corrupt practices among its people and implementing reforms,” Caparas said. –Roderick L. Abad, Businessmirror