BAGUIO CITY – A greater number of Filipinos want better living conditions in the country through the implementation of appropriate economic and social policies by the year 2040.
This was the outcome of the grassroots survey conducted by researchers commissioned by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) that resulted in the preparation of the Ambisyon Natin 2040 long-term development program.
From an annual income of $3,500 per anum at present, the NEDA envisions the annual income of Filipino families to double to $11,000 annually by the year 2040, enough to sustain the want of the Filipinos to own a home, a car and have their children achieve a higher level of education that will lead to a better life.
Milagros A. Rimando, NEDA-CAR regional director, explained the long-term development program should be coupled with the appropriate economic policies on connectivity that will include not only telecommunication but also infrastructure, education, tourism, countryside development, and agriculture to be able to realize the dreams and aspirations of Filipinos for better living conditions.
The Ambisyon Natin 2040 is considered a long-term vision for the Philippines and the Filipino people, a basis of unity among Filipinos, a guide for development planning across administrations, as well as for international development assistance for the next 25 years.
Rimando claimed the plan is also intended to be a useful reference to influence electoral platforms and set the terms for debate in 2016 and beyond. It also intends to help successive administrations remain focused on the country’s long-term goals, even as they respond to short and medium-term needs and conditions.
Rimando said the Ambisyon Natin 2040 long-term development program can be achieved by ensuring that the national vision is genuinely owned by citizens who will reach their peak productive years between 2015 and 2040, and who will oblige government officials to stay on the course towards long-term development.
The national survey is important because it solicits and captures the aspirations, values, and principles of the Filipino people.
Researchers conducted face-to-face personal interviews with the use of tablets with two valid callbacks, once during the weekday and once during weekends, with males and females interviewees aged 15 to 50 from A, B, C, D, and E income homes with samples taken from the 18 regions using the 2010 census of population project.
Each specific region was then represented by different provinces from each domain. Proportionate sampling was also employed for all the provinces for a more accurate coverage, except for Batanes which has a considerably low population.
By Dexter A. See
