The whole workforce of Cebu and Mandaue City went into minor chaos when Malacañang declared that they too would be under special non-working days due to the ASEAN Summit. Contrary to earlier pronouncements where the activities would be limited to Lapu-Lapu City, the proclamation said that the two cities would serve as thoroughfares for delegates and other participants. This sparked numerous comments, including narratives that show people really do not know the true meaning of ASEAN and what good it actually does for the public.
I guess our social studies lessons were not enough. During my years of basic education, I could recall that ASEAN was merely assigned as an acronym to memorize. There was no in-depth discussion on how the association strengthened diplomatic ties with our neighboring countries or how it helped boost the economy of this small region in Asia. All of these ideas only came to fruition for me through my immersion in the different meetings and, of course, through my visits to these different countries. By the way, our visa-free access to ASEAN countries is also a result of these meetings.
Perhaps the chairmanship of the Philippines has somehow turned a blind eye to the marginalized. Despite the refocused topics from the originally planned agenda due to the conflict in the Middle East, the concepts continue to be too big and vague for the ordinary person. The discussions on the table tackled food security and energy security, but these remain jargon to the people living in the slums. They too do not know for how long they will remain secure in the current situation they are in. They want to be afforded good opportunities but, unfortunately, not all ASEAN countries are the same. We are in the same ocean but with different boats.
We also do not really know what transpires within these meetings. All we see are family photos being taken, the opening speech of the presiding chairperson from the Philippines, and that is it. The intricacies of an international meeting are left in the dark, leaving us to wonder if they truly included the concerns raised by the common person. There are too many big words, big ideas, and big concepts. I appreciate some universities that are doing their share by conducting lectures on the true meaning of ASEAN, what it has done, and even its failed promises. No international association is perfect, especially in this age where geopolitics has become more divisive and uncertain.
Hosting the ASEAN Summit is both a hit and a miss. Yes, we are experiencing a next-level event that could elevate our place to greater heights, but then again, there are areas that continue to be overlooked. Families trying their best to survive were driven away and sent on a so-called “vacation”. The workforce continues to work, virtually this time, so that delegates will probably not see that our cramped roads could not accommodate everyone at the same time. It was a challenge, and it will continue to be one if we do not look beyond what we presently have.