THE forthcoming economic episode in our status as a nation is about to unfold in 2015 (but in fact its full implementation is still in January 2016). The much ballyhooed Asean economic integration (AEI) among 10 Asean nations plus 3 has caught the interest of many but been ignored by some, perhaps out of technical ignorance. It is noteworthy, however, that the forthcoming transformation in the economic phase of the nation is bound to create a major change in the country’s economic milieu. There is, however, a growing misconception about the possible state of the economy upon its full implementation. Whether many are misinformed or not, the AEI’s positive or negative implications should be given due recourse by the authorities if only to properly inform stakeholders so that safety nets should be put in place.