Another aspect of ASEAN

As the Philippines chairs ASEAN on its 50th anniversary we have witnessed a flurry of activities that highlights the benefits of a regional grouping - free flow of goods and services, Human Resources and funds - and leverage in dealings with bigger powers like the United States, Europe, China, Japan and Russia. As economic growth is anchored on the cooperation of the ASEAN countries, a serious concern has been raised with the lopsidedness of development - the rich getting richer and cornering much of the dividends of regional growth with the vast majority left in the fringes of prosperity. Inclusive growth has become the rallying call and ASEAN is looking for ways to ensure that all are involved as well as advantaged by the process.

The youth as an object of ASEAN programs has been a continuing focus both at the national and regional levels. Seeing the demographic profile of the ASEAN nations such a concentration on having an educated, healthy and valuable new generation is understandable. However, given the high level of deficiency in the youth in terms of capabilities, especially in the Philippines, we can not expect them to contribute significantly in the short term. We need to tap a ready source of wisdom, experience based skills and an essential institutional memory.

I am referring to the senior citizens who should not be relegated to the sidelines and spend their time watching free movies and enjoying senior citizens' discounts. They should be harnessed in the government and private sectors to fast track economic development. More importantly their strong value system can be the motivating factor for the youth to inculcate those core values essential for a community that cares and shares.

The senior citizens can become the mentors of the new generation in many aspects of business and society. They too can increase their value added by undergoing relevant training and education. I recall the Singaporean ambassador to the Philippine sharing in one forum the information that the Singapore government finances the studies of the seniors citizens to learn new crafts and enhance existing skills.

In taking this path the ASEAN member countries affirm the core of their beliefs that hold seniors and the elderly in high regard and accord them the respect they deserve. They are the repository of what is good and they become chroniclers of what is best in a nation's march to progress. They serve to keep the country in a straight path reminding leaders who stray to go back to their roots of decency, respect for human life and always enhancing the positive.

Having been involved with a group of senior golfers in the last few years I wondered what contribution they gave to society. Some have remarked that these golfers have nothing better to do except hitting a small ball into a small hole for a period of hours. Others have spread stories of golfers sandbagging and worse of golf cheats that post photos of themselves holding undeserved trophies. My experience is that these characters are quite rare and sooner than later, other players shun them.

I have seen how senior golfers keep some golf courses alive ensuring earnings for caddies and ground staff on whom families depend on so much. I have witnessed how the friendships struck in the golf course have led to business ventures resulting in the creation of jobs. I have been impressed by the exchange of information in the golf courses leading to investments in the stock market the better performance of which becomes a barometer of the country's development.

This is not just true for a country. In the just concluded 34th ASEAN Seniors Golf tournament of the Confederation of ASEAN Senior Golfers Associations (CASGA) hosted by the Federation of Philippine Amateur Senior Golfers Inc. of which I am president and the Province of Cavite (thanks Gov. Boying Remulla and Board Member Munding del Rosario), I saw senior golfers from Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippine strengthening their bonds of friendship nurtured through the years which led to a better understanding and more sustainable business and trade relationships. Since the golfers also included senior government officials, generals and prominent businessmen with a wide and significant network in their countries, they brought back to their respective countries a better picture of the Philippine countryside development and the landscape of opportunities for recreation, sports, business and trade. That spouses had their own immersion program in the countryside added to the positive images they brought back to their countries.

As government and corporations support senior citizens, the senior golfers are one group they should seriously consider. Such backing could ensure greater benefits for the Philippines in the ASEAN arena and a better life for Filipinos.

melito.jr@gmail.com