Narrowing the development gap in ASEAN refers to reducing various forms of disparities among and within member states where some pockets of underdevelopment persist. And it is in the rural areas, where this underdevelopment is usually found.
In preparing for the ASEAN integration in 2015, the rural communities thus also play a vital role in the region.
In this Nov. 18, 2014 interview in ASEAN in Focus, the President of the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement, Mr. Isagani Serrano helps shed light on this important issue.
Mr. Serrano has been the acting president of the PRRM since august 2008. He has also been a co-convenor of Social Watch-Philippines, Philippine Greens, Earth Day Network Philippines. He is also among the founders of coalitions, like the Congress For A People’s Agrarian Reform, Freedom From Debt Coalition, Green Forum Philippines, Convergence For Community-Centered Area Development, Conference Against Poverty.
This series and the program ASEAN IN FOCUS of NET 25 (Monday to Friday, 2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., with replays 11:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.) is part of Eagle Broadcasting’s advocacy to promote awareness about the ASEAN region and the 2015 ASEAN integration. ASEAN in Focus features news and features about the ASEAN region and the ASEAN integration process, and includes interviews of noted resource persons who share their views about the ASEAN integration process.
ASEAN in Focus is hosted by Alma Angeles, Neah Mangawang and Rachel Martin. Dr. Carlos Tabunda Jr., an executive fellow of the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), is the program’s resident ASEAN resource person.