FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)

What is AmBisyon Natin 2040?

AmBisyon Natin 2040 represents the collective
long-term vision and aspirations of the Filipino people for
themselves and for the country for the next 25 years. It
describes the kind of life that people want to live, as well
as how the country will look like by 2040. As such, it will
serve as an anchor for development planning
across at least four administrations.

What is the difference between a plan and a vision?

A vision is a picture of the future, a set of life goals and goals for the country, while a plan is a set of
strategies to achieve these goals. In simple terms, a vision may be likened to a destination and thus
answers the question “Where do we want to be?” while a plan lays out the pathways and modes for getting
to the destination. Thus, Ambisyon Natin 2040 is, it is the vision that will be the guide and anchor of the
country’s plans for the future.

Why did NEDA start this long-term vision for the Philippines? Why only now?
We know that development is a long-term process. It takes many years, even decades, for a country to reach
a higher level of development so as to significantly raise living standards and, subsequently, eradicate poverty.
But because of the current political system, government planning has traditionally been bound by the six-year
term of a presidency. This has often led to discontinuity of even good policies and programs. Thus,
stakeholders have been clamoring for a long-term development plan that will ensure sustainability and
continuity of good policies, programs, and projects beyond the term a political administration.

How did NEDA come up with AmBisyon Natin 2040? What was the process behind it?
How the AmBisyon Natin 2040 process unfolded was a result of a consultative
process. An Advisory Committee composed of representatives from the government,
private sector, the academe, and civil society guided the overall implementation of
the visioning exercise. Experts from different fields of development were also
consulted, especially on the thematic technical papers. Guided by the Advisory
Committee, NEDA led the development of the project’s various components,
including public consultations through focus group discussions, national survey,
technical studies, and communication and advocacy.

Is the vision of “a simple and comfortable life”

too low for the Filipino people?
A simple and comfortable life to the Filipino people means
having a car of their own, a house of their own, and enough
money and savings to send their children to school and to afford
leisure like travel – a middle class lifestyle. Upon closer look,
these aspirations are achievable to many but not for all in the
immediate term. And they may not be achievable
simultaneously. Nonetheless, as people’s aspirations are driven
by their current conditions, they may change eventually and
gradually as their lives continue to improve.

AMBISYON NATIN 2040 FAQS 1

 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)

Were all stakeholders involved in the visioning process?

People’s ownership of something like AmBisyon Natin 2040 is critical to its
sustainability. It is important that the vision is widely shared and resonates with the
majority. What better way to do it than to let it come from the people themselves?
Thus, NEDA undertook methodical public consultations to discover what they want
for themselves and for the country. Forty-two (42) focus group discussions (FGDs)
across the country were conducted, primarily with poor and marginalized groups
whose voices are seldom heard. These include fisherfolk, farmers, the urban poor,
disaster survivors, OFW families, indigenous people (IPs), students, formal
workers, government workers, out-of-school youth and persons with disability
(PWDs) in 10 different regions across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The FGD results
informed the design of the questionnaire for a national survey with a sample size of 10,000.
The survey includes Filipinos from all walks of life, regardless of ethnicity, age, class, or
occupation. To help draw up strategies for realizing the long-term vision of Filipinos, several technical papers
on areas or sectors widely known to affect a country’s development and people’s quality of life are now being
drafted. These papers will help set the goals and milestones for each administration, even while leaving
ample room for flexibility, especially in terms of strategies and programs.

What is the meaning of the logo?

The logo uses an eye icon to symbolize vision. It also serves as an eye-opener
for Filipinos, reminding them that each citizen plays an equally important role in
achieving the long-term vision. The four eyelashes attached to the eye
resemble the sun’s rays, suggesting a bright future for the Philippines. Basic
colors are used to evoke familiarity, as most are the colors of the Philippine flag.

How can this long-term vision be sustained in the next four administrations?
The long-term vision follows the idea of a progressive realization. This means that when an administration is
in power, it needs to gain and establish ground so that succeeding administrations will have something to
build on, until the end goal is reached. This involves setting milestones, having medium-term targets, and
matching the vision with international timelines such as the Sustainable Development Goals of the United
Nations, among others.

Also, after ten years, NEDA may conduct another survey to evaluate how far or close we are from fully
realizing the 2040 vision and whether and to what extent aspirations have changed.

How can the public support or advocate for AmBisyon Natin 2040?
We are encouraging the public to use AmBisyon Natin 2040 as a topic for discourse and study in the academe,
basis for goal-setting of projects and programs in our communities, among others. The public is also free to
use (without major alterations) the visual materials and information posted on the AmBisyon Natin 2040
website and Facebook page. We are also open to talk about AmBisyon Natin 2040 in relevant external events
and gatherings. There will be a string of public events in the coming months where the public is invited to join.

Where can we get more information and updates?

All information and related presentations, videos, photos, infographics, publications, speeches and survey
results highlights can be accessed through the official Ambisyon Natin 2040 website, 2040.neda.gov.ph. The
executive summaries of the technical papers and other additional resource materials will also be posted on
the website. All updates on Ambisyon Natin 2040 including related articles, event coverages and press
statements are linked and posted on the official Ambisyon Natin 2040 Facebook page,
www.facebook.com/AmbisyonNatin2040.

AMBISYON NATIN 2040 FAQS 2

 BACKGROUND

With the intention of developing a long-term vision for the

Philippines which is anchored on a vision genuinely owned by its
citizens, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)
commissioned a nationwide study on the aspirations, values and
principles of Filipino people.

Interview Method
Face-to-face personal interviews using Tablets

Respondent Specifications
Males/ Females, 15-50 years old, from ABCDE income homes

Sample Size
A total of n=10,000 interviews

Survey Area
Nationwide Urban/ Rural Philippines with representation of each
region

*Risk areas (Abra, Sulu, Basilan) and provinces with small

population (Apayao, Batanes, Siquijor, Camiguin, Dinagat
Islands) were not covered in this study.

Margin of error:
+ 0.98%

2 AMBISYON NATIN 2040

 2040 Highlights of the national survey on the aspirations of the Filipino people 3
RESULTS

1 What do the Filipinos want to achieve

for themselves in 2040?

Vision of Filipinos for self: “In 2040, we will all enjoy a stable
and comfortable lifestyle, secure in the knowledge that we
have enough for our daily needs and unexpected expenses,
that we can plan and prepare for our own and our children’s
futures. Our families live together in a place of our own, yet
we have the freedom to go where we desire, protected and
enabled by a clean, efficient, and fair government.”

An overwhelming majority of Filipinos aspire for a simple and

comfortable life (79%), followed by a smaller segment of the
population who want an affluent life (16.9%) while a very small
portion aspires for the life of the rich (3.9%).

For Filipinos, a simple and comfortable life is described as having

a medium-sized home, having enough earnings to support everyday
needs, owning at least one car/vehicle, having the capacity to provide
their children college education; and going on local trips for vacation.
 Figure 1: Idea of Desired Life Status

2 What should the country have

achieved by 2040?
Vision of Filipinos for country: “The Philippines shall be a country
where all citizens are free from hunger and poverty, have equal
opportunities, enabled by a fair and just society that is governed
with order and unity. A nation where families live together,
thriving in vibrant, culturally diverse, and resilient communities.”

4 AMBISYON NATIN 2040

 2040 Highlights of the national survey on the aspirations of the Filipino people 5

Three-fourths of Filipinos (72.1%) believed that by 2040, the

standard of living for all is having a simple and comfortable life
while one fourth (25%) indicated that all Filipinos should have a
prosperous and affluent life. Nonetheless, confidence in achieving
the desired goals is lower among the poor. In fact, among those who
want a comfortable life, 48.5 percent are not fully confident that they
can reach their goals.

Major Goals: By 2040, the Philippines will be a predominantly

middle-class society. Poverty and hunger will have been
eradicated. There will be sufficient good quality local jobs
available.

For the Filipinos in general, the most important economic goal is the
eradication of poverty (Ranked 1: 28.7%; Ranked 2 & 3: 21.4%),
hunger (Ranked 1: 25.7%; Ranked 2 & 3: 38.2%), and adequate jobs
(Ranked 1: 18%; Ranked 2 & 3:33%).Moreover, identified as second
and/or third most important goals are housing (26.4%), education
(30.8%) and health (30.3%). The survey results also indicated
modern lifestyle and leader in science and technology as among the
least important goals (Refer to Figure 2).

In the case of jobs, a prevailing sentiment is that jobs should be

located in the Philippines and that Filipinos should have options
for good quality employment that supports a comfortable life in the
country. Eighty eight percent (88%) agree that in the year 2040, it
will be good for the country if citizens will stay in the Philippines
instead of going abroad to work. More than 69 percent would choose
a job at home instead of a job abroad if given a choice.
 Figure 2: Important Economic Goals

The desire to have a decent job (marangal o maayos na trabaho)

features prominently in the consultations. Among the important
characteristics of a decent job is a good salary that would support
a comfortable life and paid on a regular basis; some would refer to
having a business where the revenue is high. Second most frequently
mentioned is job stability or job security. Next are benefits and
incentives, followed closely by the type of work.

6 AMBISYON NATIN 2040

 2040 Highlights of the national survey on the aspirations of the Filipino people 7

3
In terms of good governance, Filipinos
believe in eliminating corruption as
important to achieving a better future.
Most Filipinos expressed the need to eliminate corruption to achieve
a better future. Based on the FGDs, it should be noted that corruption
is interpreted as petty corruption (like extra charge to facilitate
transactions) that ordinary Filipinos directly encounter. Ease and
efficiency of government transactions is the second most-frequently
named as most important, followed in distant third by affordable
government services. Ranked number 2 or 3 most important by most
Filipinos is having polite, helpful, and knowledgeable government
employees.

4
Filipinos believe that peace and
security are important in achieving
personal and national prosperity.
Achieving peace and security is considered imperative for both
the development of the country as a whole (77.7%), and for the
improvement of every Filipino’s own standard of living (75.2%).
Residents of certain regions (1, 6, 9, 10) seem to feel particularly
vulnerable to peace and security issues in their communities.
Realizing the Vision
 Vision of Filipinos for Self

“In 2040, all Filipinos will enjoy a stable and comfortable

lifestyle, secure in the knowledge that we have enough for
our daily needs and unexpected expenses, that we can plan
and prepare for our own and our children’s futures. Our
families live together in a place of our own, yet we have the
freedom to go where we desire, protected and enabled by a
clean, efficient, and fair government."
Is the Vision within reach?

YES,
IT CAN BE REALIZED with the
right policies & programs.
Role of Government

Enabler

Economic Investing Protection

growth in people against
instability

Strong Institutions:
Fair and Equal
application of rules
Economic growth

Infrastructure Competition Innovation

Investing in people

Health Education
Protection against instability

Promoting peace and security …. Unexpected …. Expenses due

(including fostering unity medical expenses to natural disasters
amidst cultural diversity)
Clean, efficient, and service-oriented Government

8
PHL can be nearly a high-income country by 2040

9
Poverty can be eradicated by 2040, if not sooner.
What does $11,000 per capita income mean?

MALAYSIA

0.6%
Poverty rate*
*($1.90 a day at 2011 PPP prices)
 Vision of Filipinos for Country

“The Philippines shall be a country where all citizens are

free from hunger and poverty, have equal opportunities,
enabled by fair and just society that is governed with order
and unity. A nation where families live together, thriving in
vibrant, culturally diverse, and resilient communities.”

12
The challenge of sustaining the vision

Requires support and Not all achievable Need to Strategic flexibility

commitment from the immediately/ sustain the under changing
next 4 Administrations simultaneously momentum conditions
Next steps for NEDA

Strong ownership and Translating the Alignment of LTV & Implementation through
buy-in by stakeholders vision into SDGs; Clarification next 4 medium-term
as well as the country’s specific goals of institutional plans (Philippine
leaders over the and milestones arrangements Development Plan)
next 25 years
Realizing the Vision
The Life We Want

1
Matatag, maginhawa at panatag na buhay para sa lahat
• Widely-shared common vision for
self and for the country
• Motivation for aspirations is family
• A comfortable life with the family,
free of hardship and worry
• Families create vibrant and
resilient communities

2
 What Filipinos want
to have

What Filipinos want

to do

What Filipinos want

to be
3
An overwhelming majority of 3.9%
Filipinos aspire for a simple and Life of the rich

comfortable life… 16.9%

Affluent life

79.2%
Simple &
comfortable life

4
 What is a simple & comfortable life?

73%
Earning enough

62% 30%
Own one car
73% Business
owner
All children are
college-educated

61% 30%
Have enough money Relax with family
for day-to-day needs and friends

61% 21%
Own a medium-sized Able to take occasional
home trips around the country

5
 Desired Occupation Secure income
from a decent job

Good salary (enough

wages, paid regularly),
47% 22% 20% having a business with
Employer in own Self-employed good revenue
Work for private
family-operated farm without any paid establishment
or business employee
Benefits and incentives
(insurance, retirement)

20% 18% 13%

Work for government Work with pay in Work for private
or government own family-operated Job stability or security
household
corporation farm or business

6
 Preferred Work Location

79% 14% 7%
want to live within want to work in a want to work
the same city that big city but go and live outside
they work in home outside the the city
city 88%

7
Most respondents choose to live in houses with large lots,
yet majority prefer to live in cities
Preferred community to live in

29%
73% 14% prefer to live in a small
selected the small chose the big house city in the province
house with a big lot with a small lot

30%
prefer to live in a big
city like Manila

30%
prefer to live in the
town center in the
province 8
EDUCATION: Most preferred field of study
(among those who have not finished college)

16.5% 12.7% 11.6% 10.5%

Education science Business administration IT related Tourism and
and teacher training and related fields hospitality

10% 10% 6.9% 6.7% 4.8%

Engineering Law and Medical Trade, craft Maritime
and technology jurisprudence and allied and industrial

9
FINANCES
• Enough for day-to-day needs (61%)

• With savings for unexpected expenses

(28%)

• Unexpected expenses due to sudden

illness, natural hazards and man-made
calamities

• Savings will also be used to buy car,

build house, support retirement
10
Filipinos want to be mobile
Preferred Mode of Transport

77% 23%
Own car/vehicle Good public transportation

11
Filipinos want to be mobile
• Mobility in day-to-day living and for leisure is important to Filipinos
• Car-ownership is part of many families’ vision of their future
• Traveling within the country and to other countries is the most-frequently cited
leisure activity
• Ordinary people’s measure of their own success is the degree to which they
are able to afford travel for themselves and their families

12
The Filipino Family in 2040

13
 Vision of Filipinos for Self
“In 2040, we will all enjoy a stable and comfortable
lifestyle, secure in the knowledge that we have enough
for our daily needs and unexpected expenses, that we
can plan and prepare for our own and our children’s
future. Our family lives together in a place of our own,
yet we have the freedom to go where we desire,
protected and enabled by a clean, efficient, and fair
government."
14
The Life We Want

15