Asean Summit: Showcasing the Philippines

So, finally, it all came together for our hosting of the 12th Asean Summit. This should be a big relief to Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia, since the event has been touted as Cebu’s coming-out party. The welcome ceremonies are occasions to highlight Filipino culture and heritage. Last night, the VIPs were feted to Filipino cuisine; today, Filipino history and landmarks, and tomorrow, Filipina beauties and cultural icons: Lea Salonga and handwoven traditional garbs that have made their mark on the world stage. Though these are just sidelights to the main event, they nevertheless show what the Philippines, or the Filipino, is all about: talent and verve. It is the same talent and verve that will soon become one of the hallmarks of Asean integration. Among the agreements that will come out of this summit is the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) which will liberalize the entry and practice of professional nurses within Asean. Signed by the 10 Asean economic ministers last month, the MRA allows professional nurses duly-registered and/or licensed by the nursing regulatory authority in one Asean member-country to practice in any other member-country without taking any further licensure examination.

It seems this is just the start of service integration in the region. According to Foreign Affairs Asst. Sec. and Asean Affairs head Luis Cruz, member-countries are also pursuing similar MRAs in the architectural, accountancy, surveying, medical, tourism and information technology professions. Once the summit ends by Monday, we will have firmly in place the fifth package of commitments under the Asean Framework Agreement on Services (AFAS). The AFAS protocol prioritizes service liberalization in healthcare, tourism and related services, computer and related services, business and distribution, telecommunications, construction and maritime transport in the bid to achieve borderless labor migration within the region.

Under AFAS, Asean economic ministers have agreed to achieve total service liberalization by 2015. Liberalization is expected to be staged every two years according to their determination of sectors and sub-sectors that are of higher priority or lesser sensitivity.

The Philippines will be the biggest beneficiary of the MRA on Nursing Services, since we are now the world’s biggest exporter of nurses. Although the United States and the United Kingdom will remain the ultimate destinations for our nurses – and most of our overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) for that matter – Asean as a newfangled destination is not bad at all.

Actually, since the Philippines is acknowledged as the third largest labor-exporting country in the world, next only to China and India, we stand to gain immensely from the integration of services being mulled under the auspices of Asean integration.

Good thing too that the Cebu Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers is also in the works. According to Ambassador and Summit spokesman Victoriano Lecaros, other than the issue of language use, Asean senior officials and ministers have agreed on general principles.

"Ours will be a community that will recognize the indispensable contribution of migrant workers and will pledge to protect them," was how Foreign Affairs Sec. Alberto G. Romulo put it. The proposed declaration calls for equal wages and improved employment conditions for migrant workers, as well as decent housing and protection from illegal recruitment, trafficking and prostitution.

There are many more significant aspects to this Asean Summit, to be sure. But to me, this is the most significant to us and our country’s future.

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"We may not be able to change the world with this project, but at least we can make a difference in the lives of the people who live near us." This was one of the poignant quips of STEAG State Power Inc. (SPI) president Andreas Rubin when the 210-megawatt (MW) Mindanao Power Plant Project was inaugurated last January 8.

It is an understatement, actually. The 210-MW coal-fired plant located at the Phividec Industrial Estate in Misamis Oriental is one of the biggest investments of the German power industry in the Philippines and one of the biggest foreign direct investments in Mindanao. The coal-fired plant was built at a cost of US$305 million, representing the majority investment in this milestone project of STEAG AG, Germany’s fifth largest power producer. STEAG’s local partner in SPI is State Investment Trust Inc., one of the country’s pioneer and leading investment houses.

Completed in record time of 35 months, the power plant can supply about 15 percent of the island’s power requirements, providing much needed reliability and stability to the Mindanao grid. For decades, the generation mix in Mindanao had relied on hydroelectric power plants, which are susceptible to weather conditions, and the more expensive peaking diesel power plants.

With the completion of the 210-MW coal-fired plant last November, the power situation in Mindanao has stabilized. Its full operation jacked up the grid’s reserve margin from a critical 13.2 percent to 24.6 percent last November 2006 when the plant started its commercial run. The grid’s required reserve margin is 21 percent.

"This project will facilitate the development of the region (Mindanao) by helping ensure the stability and reliability of electricity in the area, and by diversifying the sources of power. We also commend STEAG State Power, Inc. for its conscientious effort to bring sustainable development in the region through its use of power while protecting and preserving Mindanao’s environment, and for its parallel commitment to assist the development of its host community and its members," noted Energy Sec. Raphael Lotilla.

Lotilla explained that the project has contributed about 16 percent of the power generation mix in Mindanao, which reduced utilization of oil-based plants in Mindanao from 26 to 32 percent to 13 percent. Hydro power accounts for 61 percent of the island’s power mix, with geothermal energy sources accounting for 11 percent.

President Arroyo herself noted that the completion of Mindanao’s newest and most modern power plant came just in time. "Reliable and stable power supply is one of the requirements to sustain Mindanao’s economic growth," she said. In addition, with Germany’s first foray as an investor in Philippine development, the Mindanao Power Plant Project is a cornerstone of our good and friendly relations, as no less than Axel Weishaupt, German Ambassador to the Philippines, has noted.

Through SPI’s investment of about P40 million in corporate social responsibility (CSR), Germany has clearly made a difference in people’s lives in Mindanao. Among the company’s CSR initiatives is the relocation of 55 residents to new and better homes at the San Roque GK Village. SPI has assisted these families by setting up an integrated organic vegetable garden, training the men in technical skills, helping the women set up their own livelihood project, a day care center and school for children and refurbishing school rooms, providing textbooks and school chairs.

Comprehensive environmental protection is also part of SPI’s program for the local community, including the reforestation of 1,200 hectares of upland areas in Cagayan de Oro City and another 1,000-hectare urban forestry project for its host communities in Misamis Oriental. Coastal resource development will also be implemented.

I am impressed. But at the same time, I can’t help but wonder how much better off our country would be if projects such as these were happening in more places – and thus escalate the improvement of many more Filipinos’ lives.

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