THE ten-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) completed its 12th annual meeting in Cebu from January 12-15, 2006 without any major hitch. At the end of the series of multilateral discussions, ASEAN leaders vowed to strengthen regional solidarity, fight terrorism and create a free trade zone by 2015. They also affirmed their commitment to address poverty, children and women’s social conditions, the safety of migrant workers, energy independence, disaster mitigation, and spread of pandemic diseases.

In her farewell message to the ASEAN leaders, President Gloria Arroyo said “This summit broke a new dawn as we continue to foster peace and stability, economic prosperity and claim our collective destiny.” She declared it was time to work so the grassroots of the region can start reaping the benefits from the accords signed during the ASEAN meeting. The region extends from Australia to India, encompassing some of the world’s fastest growing economies, and a perceived security threat from North Korea.

The 12th Summit of the 39-year old ASEAN was originally scheduled last December, but Foreign Affairs officials called it off because of what they said was a strong typhoon that was going to hit Cebu at that time. A month earlier, two supertyphoons devastated parts of Luzon and the Visayas. Several travel advisories concerning possible terrorist attacks were downplayed, however, as a reason for the postponement of the meeting.

Squabbling over the cost of hosting the summit provided another irritant. Opposing groups scored the Cebu City government for its unjust eviction of squatters at the site without provision for their immediate relocation, and the construction of a brand-new Cebu International Convention Center at a reported price of P100 million. Officials brushed off the allegations by ticking off the long-term benefits of Cebu’s exposure to the world’s stage accorded by the prestigious annual event.

On the eve of the ASEAN summit itself, a series of bombing incidents swept Mindanao triggering fears of similar attacks in Cebu. But the heads of state of ASEAN member countries including Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam arrived on schedule. Six dialogue partners from China, Japan, Republic of Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand also participated in the meeting.
Gridlocks and Accords

During the four-day summit, traffic almost grounded to a halt on the main streets of the island-province. Road troubles were further aggravated by protesters marching on the streets and street dancing occasioned by the ASEAN Summit and as a prelude to the upcoming Sinulog Festival. City administration advised the public to just grin and bear the cost of hosting an international gathering.

At the summit venue, the heads of state and the dialogue partners focused on the agenda and came up with several agreements intended to foster integration and cooperation in ASEAN.

The Declaration on the Acceleration of the Establishment of an ASEAN Community by 2015, and the Declaration on the Blueprint for the ASEAN Charter will establish formal rules and procedures for integration and cooperation among ASEAN nations. Presently, the Association operates on the informal basis of consensus among members.

A Declaration Towards a Caring and Sharing Community reinforces the commitment to address key common concerns in the region such as poverty alleviation, migrant safety, mitigating disasters and pandemic diseases.

The Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Nursing Services provides that nurses will no longer have to take additional examinations when applying in another country within the 10-nation ASEAN. An NGO has assailed the arrangement as bad policy that promotes brain drain and detracts from present efforts to improve the nursing profession in the Philippines.

The Cebu Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers seeks to protect the rights of the large number of migrant workers from ASEAN countries. It clearly defines the obligations of receiving and sending states.

The Convention on Counter-Terrorism ensures greater security and resistance for the ASEAN community against global terrorism which has assumed new forms of virulence.

A declaration on East Asian energy security between leaders from ASEAN countries and the dialogue partners further empowers ASEAN nations to boost and sustain their growth.

Next Round

On the final day of the meeting, the heads of state commended the host country, especially Cebu, for keeping the traditions of previous ASEAN meetings in terms of the output of the talks as well as the elegance of the venue and the hospitality of the host city.

The Philippines may have raised the bar of excellence for future ASEAN summit meetings.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo hopes to pursue a detailed discussion of the summit agreements at the ASEAN Regional Forum slated in February, particularly those pertaining to the security situation in Northeast Asia.

– Tony Maghira

ASEAN pact to protect migrant workers

Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei, three of the region’s biggest recipients of migrant workers, initially balked at the inclusion of workers’ families in the Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers. The resulting revision provides for “families founded after migrant workers have already arrived or already residing with them.”

The Cebu Declaration states the following salient obligations:

For receiving states and sending states:

• To promote the full potential and dignity of migrant workers in a climate of freedom, equity, and    stability;

• To resolve, for humanitarian reasons, the cases of migrant workers who, through no fault of their own,    have subsequently become undocumented; and

• To take into account the fundamental rights and dignity of migrant workers and family members    already residing with them subject to applicable laws, regulations and policies; For receiving states to:

• Protect the fundamental human rights, promote the welfare and uphold human dignity of migrant    workers;

• Facilitate access to resources and remedies, justice, and social welfare services as appropriate;

• Promote fair and appropriate employment. and decent working and living conditions for migrant    workers; and

• Provide victims of discrimination, exploitation, or violence, with adequate access to the legal and    judicial system.

A senior government official said, "This declaration is good for the Philippines because we are a major labor exporter.” Human rights and labor groups around the region have repeatedly called on ASEAN to help improve the conditions of migrant workers, many of whom are exploited and paid low wages. The Cebu declaration, while not legally binding, is the first major step towards a formal convention on migrant workers.