NEDA’s ‘Ambisyon Natin 2040’ still represents our future as a people

The results of a public survey on the aspirations of Filipinos conducted by the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) are contained in a document called “AmBisyon Natin 2040.” These results reflect a collective long-term vision by the Filipino people for themselves and for the country for the next 25 years. It also describes the kind of life they want to live, and how the country should look like in 2040.

The document, which has served as an anchor for development planning for at least four administrations, shows that Filipinos want a “comfortable life with the family, free of hardship and worry.” Majority (79.2 percent) aspire for a “simple and comfortable life,” 16.9 percent aspire for an affluent life, and only 3.9 percent aspire for the life of the very rich.

A “simple and comfortable life” is described as earning enough (73 percent); all children college-educated (73 percent); owning at least one car (62 percent); having enough money for day-to-day needs (61 percent); owning a medium-sized home (61 percent); being a business owner (30 percent); relaxing with family and friends (30 percent); and being able to take occasional trips around the country (21 percent).

To be able for a Filipino to live a “simple and comfortable life,” Neda computed a monthly family income requirement of P120,000, broken down to: monthly expenses of P40,000 for day-to-day needs; P30,000 for financing a medium-sized home; P25,000 for income tax; P10,000 for children’s college education; P6,000 for occasional trips around the country; P5,000 for car financing; and P4,000 for relaxing with family and friends.

A good job for a Filipino is one with a good salary or enough wages paid regularly, or having a business with good revenue, or a job with adequate benefits and incentives, or simply a stable and secure job.

The desired occupation of Filipinos indicates an entrepreneurial spirit: either as an employer in a family-owned and operated farm or business (47 percent); self-employed without any paid employee (22 percent); work in a private establishment (20 percent); work in a government or government-owned corporation (20 percent); work with pay in their family-owned and operated farm or business or work in a private household (13 percent).

For their dwelling, Filipinos desire a small house with a large lot (73 percent), or a big house with a small lot (14 percent). The preferred community is a big city like Manila (30 percent), while one-third preferred either a town center in the province (30 percent) or a small city in the province (29 percent).

For leisure, mobility in day-to-day living is important, along with car ownership and traveling for themselves and their families. Some 77 percent want to own a car or vehicle, but 23 percent prefer good public transportation.

ROMEO FELARCA DETARO, PH.D,
Instructor
West Visayas State University Pototan Campus
romeo.detaro@wvsu.edu.ph