Reflection: Philippines Relationship with ASEAN and the benefits of ASEAN integration

Globalization took a huge part in the economic success of countries all around the world and this includes the establishment of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations which is an organization that brings together disparate neighbors to address economic, security, and political issues. 

The Philippines, as one of the founding members of ASEAN, is also considered a middle-income ASEAN Member State but is today considered the new tiger in Asia amid strong growth. This became one of the foundations of the Philippines to promote foreign and trade policies.  It is manifested in the Philipines policy in order to encourage more peaceful, stable, and free South East Asia from pursuing different initiatives and have a common position in issues that affect the region like .in terms of the policymaking, economic, trading, and functional cooperation activities. 

 To serve as an example to other members of ASEAN, the Philippines actively participates in the shaping of ASEAN’s regional agenda that will ensure the alliance’s relevance and importance in the international arena.  More importantly, the Philippines has constantly affirmed that ASEAN centrality should be promoted at all times, both in the group’s internal and external dealings, and that ASEAN continues to remain as the driver of regionalism, and act as an intermediary between competing for regional powers. Furthermore, the underlying agenda of this is the Philippines’ strong support to strengthen a regional order that promotes good behavior, international trade and which adheres to internationally accepted norms and rules for the benefit of the region.  

Moreover, the emergence of ASEAN integration is expected to elevate economic growth by expanding markets and fostering better foreign relations. This will be a unification of the participating countries’ markets which makes trading and working in the member countries easier.

Therefore, as the Philippines belongs to this regional association, the integration of ASEAN opens a great opportunity to have lower cost of living, improved job opportunities and general well-being, better job opportunities and education abroad, less hassle in traveling, and also will eventually contribute to the prosperity of countries, not just the Philippines but for also the other members of the ASEAN.