Monday, April 21, 2008 Pinoys among ‘happiest’ people in Asia
SOCIAL connections, including those formed by text messages, are part of the reason Filipinos consider themselves happy despite modest economic growth figures.
“Filipinos can be an inspiration to others and heralds of good stewardship of God’s gifts,” said environmentalist Dr. Glen Martin Green, in his talk “Towards a Happy Planet” during the Climate Change Action Forum at the University of Cebu in Banilad, Cebu City.
Green said that the Philippines ranked first in the Happy Planet Index (HPI) in Southeast Asia and 17th out of 179 countries in the world, despite being 117th in terms of gross domestic product (GDP).
Measure
The HPI is a measure of how efficient the country is in turning its resources into human well-being. It covers three key areas: life expectancy, life satisfaction based on the World Values Survey and the environmental footprint—an estimate on the amount of resources required to sustain the people’s lifestyles.
It was developed by New Economics Foundation, a nongovernment organization in England. It also stemmed in part from research on the human development index, which emphasizes access to education and health care—instead of just GDP and other economic indicators—as indicators of a country’s wealth.
“The Philippines is on top in terms of HPI because of its abundance in biodiversity; efficient non-rail transportation system like trisikads and multicabs; non-wasteful use of energy such as recycling; and even on texting as a way of communication,” Green said.
He emphasized the social networks and religious culture of the Filipinos as major factors in getting a high HPI.
“The Philippines has a high social capital. Filipinos have a high life satisfaction because of family, community and church,” he said.
Despite being on top in terms of HPI, though, Green admits the need to increase the country’s GDP through environmentally safe ways.
“We need to convert fuel-dependent agriculture into organic natural (farming) and develop a less polluting transportation system like a railway system,” he said. (Karen Nacario, UP Mass Comm Intern)
