Pamela Jay F. Orias
Sun Star Cagayan de Oro
A SURVEY conducted by the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) showed that majority of Filipinos want a ‘comfortable and simple life’ instead of an extravagant one by 2040.
Dubbed as “Ambisyon Natin 2040,” the survey is a project aimed at developing a long-term vision for the Philippines by commissioning a nationwide study on the aspirations, values and principles of Filipinos.
An overwhelming 79 percent of the Filipinos aspire for a ‘simple and comfortable life’ citing the most important economic goal is the eradication of poverty which includes hunger, and having adequate jobs for all.
The survey also shows that many Filipinos prefer to work in the country rather than abroad 25 years from now.
According to the survey, Filipinos’ idea of a ‘simple and comfortable life’ include a good salary paid on a regular basis, having a business where the revenue is high, job stability or job security with benefits and incentives, and the type of work.
In the survey, Filipinos also defined the comfortable life as having a medium-sized home, enough earnings to support everyday needs, owning at least one car, being able to provide college education for the children, plus being able to go on local trips for vacation once in a while.
In the survey, most Filipinos see the need to eliminate corruption which they said is the number one precondition to achieve a better future.
The Neda, in partnership with World Bank’s Knowledge for Development Community (KDC) conducted their Second Regional Knowledge Sharing and Stakeholder consultation for Ambisyon Natin 2040 in Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan here last Monday, June 20.
Asked why the timetable for the survey is 2040, Neda Development Information Staff Director Nerrisa Esguerra said they based it on the average age of Filipinos with a career.
“Yung dahilan is yong middle age ngayon sa Pilipinas is mga around 24 so ito yong kalahati, I think kalahati ng population ngayon ay nasa age na ganun. So ito yong buhay pa, yung nasa peak ng career nila and usually yong isang generation 24-25 years,” she said.
The survey was conducted using face-to-face personal interviews of 10,000 respondents nationwide.