1. Based on the videos what does ASEAN connectedness look like?

Ans: ASEAN connectedness is the connection that will soon be formed as soon as countries will support
ASEAN integration. It is the only way to fight the foreseen crumbling of the world's economy. The unity of
countries to strengthen the economy for the future is one of the main goals of ASEAN integration.

2. Is ASEAN integration really important? Why or Why not?

Ans: Yes it is important because we need to be globally competitive like the others to secure our
progressive state or even elevate the country's economic progress more. It is also a motivation for 21st
Century people to push harder for the better and provide more breakthroughs for the world to see.
I think ASEAN integration is really important because of the ongoing economic crisis experienced
in most of the countries today.It is a high time that countries if not all,must join hands together towards
the road of improvement and success

3. Have the videos convinced you that ASEAN integration can benefit the member countries? Why?Why
not?

Ans: Ten Southeast Asian countries – the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Myanmar,
Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam – all united to improve their economies and to discuss on the various
issues like border disputes, trade agreements and exchange programs i.e education and employment.

Benefits of a citizen belonging to an ASEAN country member

1. Lower cost of living

The ASEAN Economic Community wants to eliminate if not lessen the taxes exporting between countries, which
will lower the prices of goods.

“Once our borders are open to trade, it is a possible it will lower some of the costs of exporting the goods and
therefore what we’re doing here is increasing the purchasing power of the population,” said Ronald Mendoza,
Dean of the Ateneo School of Government.

This open flow of goods and services means that your money will go much further as products become
cheaper.

2. Improved job opportunities and general well-being

Products or goods not previously available in the country will be easier to access.

A good example would be the availability of items like chocolates, clothes and fruit products not native to the
local country. Before ASEAN, these items i.e apples, oranges and chocolate are hard to come by and
expensive. One has to import to avail these hence, taxes are imposed.

Now apples and chocolates have become more common than the average mangoes or bananas thanks to
the agreements signed by ASEAN members.

Service providers like air transport and healthcare are encouraged to setup foreign offices which means for us
easier access to travel or healthcare.

Increasing foreign investments have always been the goal of the ASEAN in order to be a power house in the
world economy which would mean removing limitations and applying proven international business operations
to the whole region. The more options the more choices citizens have to improve their quality of life.

3. Better job opportunities and education abroad

The exchange of free information and skills is essential to the development of the ASEAN charter. Nationals can
work abroad increasing productivity thus more job opportunities for the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
Facilitation of visas and employment passes for skilled labor will ensure protection for the workers.

It will not be limited to the workers but to the students as well. ASEAN universities are allowing more foreign
students to study in their campus thus increasing mobility for them in the region.
It will give the opportunity for the young people to open up to new cultures and expand their horizons. Giving
them a fresh perspective to what would be their goal in life. Allowing them to be more confidence in coursing
the future of their home countries.

4. Less hassle in traveling

ASEAN integration has made it possible to travel to other countries and in the process tourism has grown
exponentially. It has given more opportunities for the tourism industry to promote the local scenery and earn
more revenue.

Traveling to the other ASEAN countries will enable the nationals to realize that they are not alone in the road to
economic success but together as one whole Asian region they can make a difference in world policy. To
aspire for the ASEAN unity.

5. Philippines prosperity

With the full integration of the ASEAN countries, investments, services, job skills and a free market would enable
the Philippines to have economic prosperity and the benefits will eventually trickle down to the citizens’ benefit.

To achieve all the goals of the ASEAN, every nationals must work towards a common good and not just its own
country’s well-being. Cooperation is the key ingredient to make ASEAN a success. It is not about signing treaties
or agreements but it is the people to fulfill the dreams of the ASEAN founders.

Once achieved, it will extend beyond borders and will boost national security, international trade, reducing
poverty and economic competitiveness.

4. In particular, how can ASEAN 2015 benefit the Filipinos?

ASEAN integration can surely benefit the members of the countries because this is one of the purpose of
creating such move. Members of the integration will be given the opportunity to interact and do
business easily with other countries which may widen their economic ties.

ASEAN is short for Association of SouthEast Asian Nations. It is also called ASEAN Integration. The following
are some of the benefits from ASEAN Integration:

ASEAN promotes the improvement of the economy, peace condition, culture, and the state of society
of each member country.
ASEAN conducts an ASEAN Summit where issues and concerns in the region are being addressed.
ASEAN provides a stronger connection with member countries and other countries outside Southeast
Asia.
In connection with this, other details that are related to the benefits from the ASEAN Integration are
indicated below.

I. What is ASEAN Integration?

ASEAN stands for Association of SouthEast Asian Nations.
ASEAN is an association composed of countries in Southeast Asia.

II. Who are the member countries of ASEAN?

The member countries of ASEAN are the following:

Brunei Cambodia
Indonesia Laos
Malaysia Myanmar
Philippines Singapore
Thailand Vietnam

III. What are the benefits gained by member countries from the ASEAN Integration?
ASEAN promotes the improvement of the economy, peace condition, culture, and the state of society
of each member country. This is the main goal of ASEAN.
ASEAN conducts ASEAN Summits where issues and concerns in the region are being addressed. Some of
the issues and concerns that are being tackled include those that are related to politics, economics,
labor, trade, peace and order, culture, etc.
ASEAN provides a stronger connection with member countries and other countries outside Southeast
Asia. Aside from improving the Southeast Asian countries' relationship with each other, their relationship
with dialogue partners is also being improved. Some of the dialogue partners include USA, Canada,
Australia, New Zealand, etc.