The Road to ASEAN wellville

Much has been said about ASEAN. The ASEAN charter is now on its way to be ratified by the member states, and series of consultations for the ASEAN basic document are being spearheaded to unite the differences and consolidate the interests of the ASEAN nations.

But there are several problems along the way. ASEAN leaders wanted the organization be a successful regional bloc, not only economically but politically in its faction in the globe. But this fast-tracking of ASEAN Vision 2020 (now ASEAN 2015), would be a dream more than reality if crucial issues of making ASEAN closer to the people of South East Asia will not be realized.

First, the level of awareness of the people in the region in the existence of ASEAN is still somewhat doubtful. The ASEAN has not yet been successful creating an ASEAN regional identity, or awareness that will reach its more than 500 million citizens of ASEAN benefits and gains. The question is, “how can ASEAN be more relevant to the individual citizens of each member nations?” For instance, how will ASEAN be interesting to the people in Myanmar in the present conflict there of Aung San Suu Kyi against the government of Myanmar? How will the ASEAN be more responsive to the pressing need to alleaviate poverty in young people of Cambodia and Laos? How will ASEAN help to improve the economic momentum of the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam?

Simply put, the citizens of the South East Asian states need to be more familiar with the workings and systems of ASEAN. The individual citizens, for instance of Laos, or Cambodia, Philippines and Thailand, among others, need to be acquainted with the notion of ASEAN and its primary objectives for the region and for its people. Meaning, ASEAN needs to be introduced, submerged and saturated within the mindset of every SouthEast Asian. Without, this I believe, no full integration can happen. The integration sought to be achieved by the leaders of this region would be like an elitist organization, perhaps, far from what it was originally conceived.

There must be strong efforts first to introduce ASEAN in its entirety and its importance, role and function in the lives, culture, economic conditions, and religious belief of every South East Asian. A strong campaign must be made in order to make ASEAN closer to its people, so that from the grassroots of the ASEAN society to the high economic perspectives of its leaders, true integration, harmony and cooperation can be fully achieved.

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ASEAN Integration, soon or sooner?

The Association of South East Asian Nations, one of the most promising regional blocs in the world had spearheaded economic integration by 2015 (earlier date which was originally planned by 2020). This must be a welcome remark for all ASEAN nations, as the world prepares itself for stronger regional blocs to protect their own region against inflation threats, border security, counter-terrorism and further enhance regional peace, harmony and prosperity.

ASEAN in its concept is expected to promote stronger integration and unity among all the 10-member states so that the region can be a powerful house bloc as the EU, NAFTA or the Mercosur, as in all parts of the world. However, with all the regional blocs of the globe, ASEAN is the most promising to follow the steps of the EU and making it perhaps better, this is because ASEAN nations have more harmonious relationship than their European or Latin American counterparts.

There are several suggestions to this ASEAN integration among them:


1. Free Trade and single economic basket for ASEAN member nations. This is a welcome note and relatively acceptable because ASEAN has combined GDP of 896 Billion dollars. Our economy is not really on the downside because trading with our neighbors poses greater security, where our interests are closer and our economies more related than if we tie-up with nations stronger than we.
2. Borderless ASEAN, where, a single-visa for ASEAN is proposed, spearheaded by Thailand and Philippines, so that visitors may see ASEAN as single tourism destination, which will boost income on tourism.
3. Integration through open skies policies, liberalization in transport systems, by linking and creating modes of transportation by air, land and sea between and among the member nations.
4. Unification and standardization of laws which relate to ASEAN interests. This would spell out as common laws in areas of trade and economy, transportation, security and immigration, tourism and agriculture, among others. There must a be uniform law which will create a single ASEAN business and trade atmosphere among other tradesmen and businessmen within the region and those who would come outside the regional bloc.
5. The introduction of a common currency among ASEAN countries, whereby the currency will be a stronger currency against inflation against other foreign currencies. This is a lesson learned from the Asian Financial Crisis in the 90’s. The single currency (the earlier proposal is not really a currency but only a base currency)., will be the index for exchange, trade which will insulate the ASEAN against sharp depreciation of US dollars, or other monetary units.

However there are certain setbacks in the ASEAN integration among them are:

1. The various political conditions of each country. The military junta in Myanmar, the volatile democracies of Cambodia and Lao, the corruption raps in the Philippines and political situations (now restored) in Thailand are among of the key issues.

2. The different economic levels of ASEAN nations. The ASEAN is composed of nations from first to third world countries. The oil-rich Brunei Darussalam, and investment-hub Singapore, now emerging Malaysia are despairingly different from the economies of Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam, who have now promising economies, and the third group, Cambodia, Lao and Myanmar where economic progress must be encouraged well.

3. The protectionist economies of some member nations. The ASEAN, if it wants to succeed must create uniform laws on certain matters of transnational issues such as trade and tariffs, customs and borders, tourism and immigration and labour markets. With the integration, these issues and other will surely be touched down. No full integration can be achieved without these being discussed fully and liberalized in its most significant sense, for the protection of each member nation and for the further interest of the region.

4. The distance, borders and geographical features of ASEAN. Unlike in Europe, where EU nations are contiguous, ASEAN nations are separated by sea and land borders. However, these geophysical barriers can be eliminated by making free-travel and sky travel cheaper, and by introducing modes of transport that will link one nation to another.

5. Transnational issues of immigration policies, labor force, migration, residency and common issues that will confront ASEAN citizens. These realities may be well seen in the light of ordinary citizens of ASEAN. The security of employment, food security in the region, and security and peace are the most important issues to be discussed.

The Advantages of ASEAN and its viability to be self-sustaining


ASEAN can be a well-sustaining region unlike other regions in the world. First, ASEAN has geographical advantages and vast natural resources and to explore unlike other regional blocs in the globe. The efficient electronic systems of Singapore and its successful urban planning can be well integrated among all ASEAN countries, the agriculture and natural food resources of Thailand, Vietnam, and the agro-industrial produce of Myanmar, Cambodia and Lao. The electronic and human capital in the Philippines, plus all other hosts of industries, and the oil in Brunei and the rich supplies of raw materials such as rubber, wood etc in Malaysia make up a sustainable region. The vast and rich aquatic resources of Indonesia and the Philippines will all the more contribute within the food security in the region.

Peace and security is not at all a threat in the region. Its physical and geographical disadvantage is also its, an advantage. The physical attributes will not immediately affect other member nations, such as any untoward calamities (man-made or natural) will not directly affect the other member nations, that will not bring down the whole ASEAN system to collapse. The whole ASEAN also is only divided in 3 hours from 6:30 UTC to 9:00 UTC, this could be well united in one common time, +8:00 GMT, that is to unite the trade and all time differences necessary for tourism, exchange and communication.

ASEAN is a promising bloc, with the help of the leaders today of ASEAN, this integration can fully equip the developing member nations and to strengthen the pillar economies of the region.

Photo Credits: The ASEAN Logo, ASEAN Publication, ASEAN Map were all taken from wwww.aseansec.org

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What is Marriage?

The State shares its belief in the concept of marriage that indeed, this God-designed, covenant is the highest form of any human relationship and with preeminence to any human partnership. This institution is not an ordinary institution, whereby, it can be dissolved through human means, but this insoluble covenant was indeed ordered to be so, for the protection of the family, then the community, then the nation, and the entire humanity.

In this belief, the State even the Church, in its legal proceedings recognizes this premise and design of marriage. The recognition of the Church marriage is then recognized by the Laws of the State and protected by it. In the same way, the Marriage duly solemnized in a civil ceremony, with all its completeness, is deemed acceptable and acknowledge by the Church, to support this idea, the documents for example necessary for the completion of marriage is tedious and safeguarded to avoid and to preclude fraud and deception.

The process in arranging marriage is considered as a legal process and parameters are required to be obtained. Marriage is believed to be the highest agreement any two capable individuals could decide, it is one of the highest sacrament endowed by the Church. With this view, the Church and the State do require all necessary other supporting evidences to prove the capability of the one who engages in this contract.

A pastor from a local church, while solemnizing a marriage ceremony had given a very beautiful re-description of marriage contract, he said “If I will be given a chance to change the caption or the title of this contract from its name ‘Marriage Contract’ to other name I will change it to become ‘Marriage Covenant’, because a contract has conditions and in some way can be dissolved, however, on the other hand, in its meaning, and essence the term ‘Marriage covenant, is more solemn and in its semanticity doesn’t have limitations and conditions, this is marriage”

It is indeed, agreeable for the pastor’s view of marriage, that marriage is the start of relationship and commitment, wherein, two individuals are to produce an offspring that shall be a member of their own family and the community and the nation. Contented and Happy individuals were conceived not by the good governance or any political system, but rather, in simpler explanation, a happy marriage and a happy family brought about these people. In this reason, if the marriage is family, the children of that happy marriage are indeed better individuals.

If the individual is more responsible, sensible rest assured the members of that nation, are responsible and sensible too. This simple reason, yet profound in reality is the simple clause why, without question, the institution of marriage is considered as the foundation of the society.
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The Migration Problem

Migration is a fact of life. Economies run, employment shortages in skills-level are filled up in migration. While, all of us disagree with ILLEGAL migration, we should think that the problem with this illegal entry to borders is NOT the sole fault of the illegal migrants

First, these illegal migrants only want to secure jobs (only jobs NOT drug-trafficking or any other human crime), they want to seek greener pastures like all of us. They want to feed their families, which their country or place cannot obviously provide. Perhaps, some people think so negative about migration because they have never lived in a "developing country" where opportunities are scarce or few.

The question here is, the illegal migrants cannot keep on coming, but are the borders REALLY SECURED? The problem is a two-coined situation. The attitude of the illegal migrants and the loopholes of the border security and immigration laws and processes of the receiving state. It is only fair that while many people rant over the illegal migrants crossing borders they should also pressure their government to make the borders as sturdy and high as they can.

USA, has spent millions (or even billions of dollars) in humanitarian aid, in war in Iraq, in various international concerns. Why not secure the borders in whole USA? The USA, being the only super-power left in the world, one of the richest nation in the globe, can SURELY make a way to secure the borders with their vast intelligence and sophisticated arms, and advanced technology.

IF they can send men to the moon and robotic explorers to MARS why not spend so much to secure their borders?

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