‘Trickle-down effect’ of Asean integration for ordinary Filipinos questioned
ASEAN leaders AFP FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—A lawmaker voiced out his concern on Tuesday on how the Asean integration in 2015 would trickle down to ordinary Filipinos once set in motion.
“All the discussions this morning were about how it will help the bankers, the rich or in capital markets, I have not heard how this will impact the Filipino people,” said Pasig Representative Ramon Romulo at an inquiry on the preparedness of the Philippines to the Asean integration at the House of Representatives.
Representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Trade and Industry made a presentation before lawmakers and selected members from the public and private sector to give updates on the Asean integration.
“If we want to help majority of the Filipino people, the group here should present to the committee how it will benefit [the Filipino people]. Hindi yung mayayaman na top 5 percent lang. Ang apektado ay 95 percent [Not the top 5 percent alone and those who are affected are the 95 percent],” Romulo said.
The Asean integration in 2015 aims that the region’s 10-member countries be transformed into a single market and production base that is highly competitive and fully integrated into the global economy.
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