AROUND 79 percent of Filipinos aspire for a simple and comfortable life as compared to an affluent and very rich life, according to the data provided by the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).
According to Neda-Davao Director Maria Lourdes Lim, who was also a guest speaker during the Reintegration Programme for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) held at Grand Regal Hotel, Lanang Thursday, the Ambisyon Natin 2040 program, which was launched on March 2016, embodies the collective aspirations of Filipinos for a country where all citizens are free from hunger and poverty, have equal opportunities, and abled by a fair and just society that is governed with order and unity.
Lim gave emphasis that the Ambisyon Natin 2040 also envisions a nation where families live together.
“This is a 25-year vision statement for the entire country. And Neda embarked in the formulation of this long-term vision based on the aspiration of the standard of living that Filipinos want. Based on the nationwide results, 79.2 percent of Filipinos aspire just for a simple and comfortable life over the next 25 years while only about four percent wanted the life of a super rich and only about 17 percent wanted a prosperous or affluent life,” said Lim.
By definition, the “simple and comfortable” life that the Filipino respondents meant involves enough money for day-to-day needs and contingencies roughly amounting to P120,000 per month, a medium-sized home, owning at least one car, and a decent work or a business owned by the family. With this kind of lifestyle, the respondents also aspire that all children can finish college, at the same time they can relax with family and friends including the occasional trips around the country.
The life of a typical Filipino that Neda aspires for under the Ambisyon Natin 2040 is clustered into three parts, the Matatag where family is together, with time with friends, a good balance between work and life, and volunteering activities. Maginhawa aspect involves liberty from hunger and poverty, a secured home ownership, access to good transportation, and travel and vacation. Lastly, the Panatag aspect involves enough resources for daily needs and emergency expenses, peace and security, long and healthy life, and comfortable retirement.
“Ambisyon Natin 2040 serves as a basis of unity among Filipinos. It binds everyone in this country. It shall anchor our development planning efforts across at least four administrations beginning with the Duterte administration…In response to these aspirations, Ambisyon Natin 2040 translates into the following Philippine Development Plan Vision: ‘By 2040, the Philippines will be a prosperous, predominantly middle-class society where no one is poor. Our people will enjoy long and healthy lives, are smart and innovative, and will live in a high-trust society’,” Lim said.