The Philippine APEC Study Center Network (PASCN) and the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) together with Silliman University (SU) yesterday held a regional symposium on “Beyond ASEAN@50: Opportunities and challenges for this regional integration” at SU-College of Business Administration MBA Presentation Room.
The event is one of PASCN’s information dissemination activities which provides opportunity for researchers to present and disseminate results and key findings of their studies to various stakeholders.
Aside from this, the symposium is also PASCN’s contribution to the Philippines’ chairmanship of ASEAN 2017.
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) - Office of ASEAN Affairs Principal Assistant for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Division, Alfred Kristoffer Guiang, delivered the event’s keynote message on behalf of Assistant Secretary Ma. Hellen De La Vega of DFA who is the Director-General for ASEAN-Philippines National Secretariat.
Guiang cited some of the highlights of the 31st ASEAN Summit and Related Summits held from November 10 to 14 in Manila in his speech.
“The leaders signed the ASEAN Consensus on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers which strengthens the social protection, including humane and fair treatment, and access to justice and health services of the region’s migrant workers,” Guiang said.
“The 31st ASEAN Summit also saw the adoption of important outcome documents that would strengthen our commitment and collective efforts to ensure peace and progress in the region through prevention and combating of cybercrime, and through innovation. Outcome documents that would improve the welfare of the people through ending all forms of malnutrition, combating anti-microbial resistance, youth development, women empowerment, climate change and disaster health management, among others were likewise adopted,” Guiang added.
The symposium also featured lectures from four other speakers, namely: PIDS Research Information Director Dr. Sheila Siar, De La Salle University Economics Organization Representative Justin Eloriaga, SU- Department of Economics Faculty Orlando Roncesvalles, and Dr. Enrique Oracion, dean of SU-University Graduate Programs.
Dr. Francis Mark Quimba, research fellow of PIDS summarized the key points reflected in the presentations delivered by the resources persons using the quote from Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong during his speech after he accepted the ASEAN Chairship from President Duterte during the closing ceremony of the 31st ASEAN Summit.
“We can find new ways to manage and harness digital technologies and equip our citizens with skills and capabilities and keep ASEAN a vibrant and dynamic place of our people to live, work and play,” Quimba echoed the message of Primie Minister Hsien.
Quimbo said the topics discussed in the symposium is relevant since it gives an idea on what the future host of ASEAN wants to focus on in the following year, which is innovation and resilience.
Meanwhile, Guiang lauded PASCN for organizing the symposium.
“I thank the PIDS, PASCN, SU and its College of Business and Administration for organizing this regional symposium that would enhance public awareness on ASEAN, and the present opportunities and challenges for ASEAN integration. Public information and awareness is another area which places an opportunity for Filipino and ASEAN people to fully understand and appreciate ASEAN and eventually contribute to the attainment of our regional goals,” Guiang said. (ral/PIA7-Negros Oriental)
The event is one of PASCN’s information dissemination activities which provides opportunity for researchers to present and disseminate results and key findings of their studies to various stakeholders.
Aside from this, the symposium is also PASCN’s contribution to the Philippines’ chairmanship of ASEAN 2017.
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) - Office of ASEAN Affairs Principal Assistant for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Division, Alfred Kristoffer Guiang, delivered the event’s keynote message on behalf of Assistant Secretary Ma. Hellen De La Vega of DFA who is the Director-General for ASEAN-Philippines National Secretariat.
Guiang cited some of the highlights of the 31st ASEAN Summit and Related Summits held from November 10 to 14 in Manila in his speech.
“The leaders signed the ASEAN Consensus on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers which strengthens the social protection, including humane and fair treatment, and access to justice and health services of the region’s migrant workers,” Guiang said.
“The 31st ASEAN Summit also saw the adoption of important outcome documents that would strengthen our commitment and collective efforts to ensure peace and progress in the region through prevention and combating of cybercrime, and through innovation. Outcome documents that would improve the welfare of the people through ending all forms of malnutrition, combating anti-microbial resistance, youth development, women empowerment, climate change and disaster health management, among others were likewise adopted,” Guiang added.
The symposium also featured lectures from four other speakers, namely: PIDS Research Information Director Dr. Sheila Siar, De La Salle University Economics Organization Representative Justin Eloriaga, SU- Department of Economics Faculty Orlando Roncesvalles, and Dr. Enrique Oracion, dean of SU-University Graduate Programs.
Dr. Francis Mark Quimba, research fellow of PIDS summarized the key points reflected in the presentations delivered by the resources persons using the quote from Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong during his speech after he accepted the ASEAN Chairship from President Duterte during the closing ceremony of the 31st ASEAN Summit.
“We can find new ways to manage and harness digital technologies and equip our citizens with skills and capabilities and keep ASEAN a vibrant and dynamic place of our people to live, work and play,” Quimba echoed the message of Primie Minister Hsien.
Quimbo said the topics discussed in the symposium is relevant since it gives an idea on what the future host of ASEAN wants to focus on in the following year, which is innovation and resilience.
Meanwhile, Guiang lauded PASCN for organizing the symposium.
“I thank the PIDS, PASCN, SU and its College of Business and Administration for organizing this regional symposium that would enhance public awareness on ASEAN, and the present opportunities and challenges for ASEAN integration. Public information and awareness is another area which places an opportunity for Filipino and ASEAN people to fully understand and appreciate ASEAN and eventually contribute to the attainment of our regional goals,” Guiang said. (ral/PIA7-Negros Oriental)
