The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint 2025, aimed at fostering deeper regional integration, competitiveness, and economic resilience, has recently been adopted. This paper provides an updated assessment of the AEC and the Philippines' progress over the last five years, considering recent developments such as the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), advancements in the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), and evolving trade and investment patterns. Using the latest data, the study benchmarks the Philippines against its ASEAN counterparts, analyzing performance in trade, investment, financial integration, innovation, digital economy, connectivity, and sustainability. In addition, the paper explores the impacts of global economic disruptions, supply chain realignments, and emerging sustainability initiatives on the country’s integration into the regional economy. It identifies key challenges, including disparities in economic readiness, regulatory bottlenecks, and gaps in digital transformation, while also outlining strategic policy recommendations to enhance the Philippines’ role in ASEAN’s economic landscape.
Comments to this paper are welcome within 60 days from the date of posting. Email publications@pids.gov.ph.
