Monday, January 15, 2007 Mongaya: Only in the Philippines By Anol Mongaya Panahom
THE cliché “generally peaceful and orderly” will surely be used by officials in describing the successful conduct of the ongoing 12th Asean summit. This was practically what a taxi driver told me yesterday.
However, there was an embarrassing incident involving a United Nations (UN) official because of dimwits manning checkpoints.
The official was invited to brief Asean heads of state on the health situation in the region, particularly regarding Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Aids). He flew over to Cebu and was provided a vehicle with government plates and all the necessary identification cards and car pass.
Unfortunately, when they were going to the summit venue of the UNAIDS briefing for the ministers the other day, brainless guards refused to let them pass because they were not given instructions. The ID, the car pass, and the car with government plates were not enough.
The UN official failed to accomplish what the Asean invited him to do because some guards believe they are demigods in their own little turf called a checkpoint. “Only in the Philippines,” I told myself after I heard the story.
The Asean leaders, I believed, discussed the Aids situation in the region based on the written UNAIDS report.
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I think the media coverage and information drive about the closing of the ceremonial route whenever an Asean convoy passes led to the public’s cooperation, said a motorist after he noticed people walking toward their destination without the usual complaints.
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I thought the summit in Cebu would be the occasion for the signing of the Asean charter. I was wrong. The Asean leaders will tackle the final document in the next summit in Singapore at the end of the year.
However, as expected, the leaders agreed to turn the Asean region into a free trade zone by 2015. The move is a step towards cooperation in confronting the Chinese economic juggernaut.
With this, the Philippines, particularly Cebu, should start crafting long-term strategies to ensure that we will profit from this development and not be set aside in favor of the stronger Asean economies.
I just hope Asean leaders will put in enough safeguards to protect members with weaker economies.
Asian leaders should also study other free trade zones to avoid problems later. For example, the North American Free Trade Zone reportedly led to the easier entry of anything illegal to the United States through Mexico.
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Tonight, journalists covering the summit are expected to watch the Miss Super B 2007 pageant at Ratsky Cebu. This pre-Sinulog offering is designed to select a worthy model for various activities of the Sun.Star family, which is celebrating its 25th in 2007. Thanks to all who supported us.
(superbalita@sunstar.com.ph or anol.blogs.friendster.com/anols_blog)
