Success formula

On the same day that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) celebrated its 43rd birthday the other day, Singapore marked its 45th anniversary.

That was less than half a century ago. How much Singapore has achieved since its founding is a source of envy for Asia’s former second most promising economy, the Philippines.

Not one to crow, and recognizing their land size limitations, Singaporeans often caution foreigners against comparing the prosperous city-state with other countries. Singaporeans like to point out that the problems are different, governance is easier in a small area, and their national unity and drive for survival were shaped by unique historical circumstances.

But comparisons are irresistible for us Pinoys who enjoy self-flagellation, especially when Singaporean Ambassador A. Selverajah is talking about annual growth projections of 13 to 14 percent as his country emerges from recession.

When the global financial meltdown struck, affecting all countries including Southeast Asia’s most advanced economy, I asked the ambassador what his country was doing to cope.

His quick answer: they were focusing on further improving education.

Singapore is positioning itself as a learning center in the region, but more than that, the country wants its citizens to be poised for global competition once the economic slowdown ends.

In his speech at their National Day celebration, Ambassador Selverajah reiterated the importance they attach to education.

He also attributed his country’s success to sustained socio-political stability, good governance and the rule of law. Foreigners who have spent time in Singapore will agree that this was a statement of fact.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, who graced the National Day celebrations, might have said “ouch” under the previous administration. But since he is now serving a new government, still at its early stage when public hopes are high and people are holding back cynicism, Romulo could probably afford to think, upon hearing the Singaporean formula for success, “We’ll get there.”

Sooner or later? Let’s hope it’s not later, or the Philippines will be eating the dust not just of emerging ASEAN achievers Indonesia and Vietnam but also Cambodia and possibly Laos.

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At least Myanmar isn’t looking poised yet to leave us behind. It’s one ASEAN member that is so dysfunctional it makes the Philippines look good just by being our usual rambunctious, everything-goes democracy.

That kind of exuberant freedom is one thing that’s missing from rules-oriented Singapore, and I know several prominent Filipinos who are voicing hopes in public that the situation in this country could be different.

A little less freedom and a bit more civic responsibility should do the trick, as far as those prominent figures are concerned, but of course this is easier said than done in our culture.

One of the first things that must be curbed in this country, as far as certain sectors are concerned, is press freedom – a basic right that is viewed differently in Singapore. But again, their society has developed in a way that has allowed that view of journalism to flourish.

Despite that different appreciation of the role of the press, government agencies in Singapore are more transparent in many ways than those in the Philippines, and the Singaporeans didn’t even have to haggle with their government for legislation to enjoy that transparency.

Despite the squeaky clean image, the city-state, renowned for slapping stiff fines for minor infractions, is attracting more investment and 10 times more foreign visitors than the Philippines. When Universal Studios looked for a location for its theme park in the region, it picked tiny Singapore instead of the Philippines.

Singaporeans support their government because the system works.

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Because of its size, the city-state is one of the biggest boosters of a bigger role for ASEAN acting as a group particularly in matters of trade, financial stability and security.

The grouping, originally formed to thwart the spread of communism in Southeast Asia, is tightening its partnership in various fields with China and increasing cooperation with other countries in the Asia-Pacific region as well as the European Union.

Washington, the original supporter of the founding member states of ASEAN, is trying to set up a meeting between US President Barack Obama and ASEAN leaders including President Aquino who are attending the annual gathering of the United Nations General Assembly next month in New York.

If the meeting pushes through, there will be speculation that Chinese naval buildup and dominance in the South China Sea could be taken up. More likely, the meeting will just be a step toward winning hearts and minds in Southeast Asia for Washington, which has been preoccupied for years with other parts of the world.

No country is considered a leader in ASEAN; the chair is rotated among member states every year. But Singapore is the undisputed top economic performer, scoring high if not No. 1 in international surveys on competitiveness, transparency and bureaucratic efficiency.

The Philippines and Singapore are among the founding members of ASEAN, and it’s frustrating to see how far we have been left behind in just 45 years.

It will take time for us to catch up. The new administration can at least put us on the right track.