Two years ago many people, especially in business sector are asking whether the ASEAN community

could be realized by the year 2015. Since it is in the stage of development, questions like what is the impact of it
to many ASEAN citizens or to the most of Filipinos? What kind of environment if the people of each country
interact each other?
Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) was formed to speed up the growth of the economy,
social progress and development of culture through helping each other out in equality and partnership in
promoting peace and stability throughout the region, having respect for justice and the rule of the law amongst the
countries in the South East Asian region, to strengthen the foundation for community of Southeast Asian nations
which is prosperous and peacefully. The activities carried out by the ASEAN are planned by the different member
countries. As the environmental pollution is an issue, member countries plan activities that deal with
environmental issues.
ASEAN is in the midst of whirlwind of changes for economic development, many of which have damage
on environment, such as proliferation of slum area, pollution and etc. The reasons for this problem could be
epitomized as the influence of global forces and trends as well as environmental management.
So what is the environment do ASEAN countries have? What is its difference from their original
environment? It seems that it is more on business sector, how about the natural environment?

I. Body

I reviewed an article related to the ASEAN integration which is entitled The environment in ASEAN
integration which was published on May 12, 2015 by the Inquirer Philippines and was written by Cielito Habito.
The article seeks to debate and generate ideas on all aspects of ASEAN economic group and
Integration. Furthermore, it focuses on various issues like assessment of Asian Economic Performance, the
environment that we have if the ASEAN integration is fully implemented and etc.
The ideas of the author in the article are arranged in such a way that it reflects his thought. First
paragraph deals with the authors key ideas such as his reflections on the political awakening of the ASEAN
community. Second paragraph is all about the idea of the author toward free flow of goods, services, capital,
knowledge and capital across the region, that will not end up sacrificing the natural environment and the well
being of people and communities in the process. His question such as how do we avoid the problems caused by
transnational crime, illegal immigration, environmental degradation and pollution both within and across national
borders, and other cross-border challenges? will give the time to the reader to reflect themselves about what he or
she might see in the the dreaded race to the bottom, where governments are too often led to relax social and
environmental protection standards in the competition to attract a greater share of investments. Therefore, it has
something to do with the preoccupation with economic growth. Third paragraph deals with the approach to Asean
integration as a regional community. It is further discuss by the author by citing statements that based on facts for
instance in ASEAN community there appears to be a key aspect of integration missing. While it seeks closer
integration among the economies of the region, it appears to neglect the holistic integration of the social,
environmental and economic dimensions of development. Instead of an integrated strategy to achieve the
envisioned Asean community, it compartmentalizes the approach into three distinct tracks toward its attainment.
Its well known that theres an Asean Economic Community, but its not as well known that theres such a thing as
an Asean Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC), and an Asean Political-Security Community (APSC) as well. The
latter two, in fact, do not receive attention anywhere near that given to the AEC, and commitments therein dont
seem to be as closely tracked and monitored, as have been those in the AEC Blueprint. Meanwhile, as
globalization is creating intense competition between countries in the world arena, regional integration is gaining
importance for sustainability of developing countries.
The article also addresses issues related to Ensuring Environmental Sustainability where in the
author cited the ASCC Blueprint . It identifies 11 thrusts addressing, pursuing or promoting: (1) global
environmental issues; (2) transboundary environmental pollution, particularly haze pollution and movement of
hazardous wastes; (3) environmental education and public participation; (4) environmentally sound technology; (5)
quality living standards in Asean cities/urban areas; (6) harmonization of environmental policies and databases;
(7) sustainable use of coastal and marine environment; (8) sustainable management of natural resources and
biodiversity; (9) sustainability of freshwater resources; (10) climate change and its impacts; and (11) sustainable
forest management.

II. Conclusion
 I agree with the authors idea about economic officials responding to concerns from business
stakeholders will in turn tend to neglect longer-term environmental implications of economic policies and
measures they undertake. A holistic and integrative approach will thus be elusive unless the decision-making
process brings together policymakers from the various perspectives involved. But governments and Asean
mechanisms have always been structured sectorally. It will take a deliberate move away from compartmentalized
planning and decision-making, toward a more holistic and integrative approach, to overcome this.More than
economics , however, the issues that were earlier raised, I think, is of equal importance. The many unresolved
differences in the region and the lack of ASEAN identity might become stumbling blocks for the envisioned
economic integration. I believe that more focus should be given to such issues to have a successful
implementation of the ASEAN Community.
Most people seem to see the ASEAN Economic Community as something that our country is not ready
for, and will bring us great problems. The fact is, we are already more Asean engaged than people appear to
think and many Philippine businesses of various sizes are already reaping the benefits of doing business with our
Asean Neighbors. Contrary to perceptions expressed by the author various government programs are actually in
place to enable small and medium enterprises to engage benefit from Asean Economic Community. Interestingly,
despite the potential conflicts that may result from environmental issues, implementation of laws has hardly been
realized.