Poe seeks review of PH preparedness for ASEAN integration

Sen. Grace Poe wants a review of the country's preparedness for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) integration by 2015.

In her Senate Resolution (SR) No. 403, Poe said: "In order to protect the interest of local industries, regulatory legislation may be needed before the full implementation of the ASEAN Charter in 2015."

The ASEAN Economic Integration seeks to unite all 10 member-countries to become a single market and production base which will encourage the free flow of goods, services, investments and capital in the region by reducing and eliminating barriers to trade.

Under SR 403, concerned government agencies are urged to make an evaluation of its policies and brief Congress on how the country is gearing up for the integration.

All member states have adopted the ASEAN Charter, thus formalizing its legal personality under international law. The Philippine Senate ratified the law in October 2008.

The ASEAN member-countries include Brunei, Cambodia Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.