By 2040, all Filipinos will enjoy a strongly rooted, comfortable, and secure life or a matatag, maginhawa, at panatag na buhay.

This sums up the AmBisyon Natin 2040, or simply the AmBisyon, which represents the collective long-term vision and aspirations of Filipinos for the kind of life they want and the country that they want to see by 2040.
This vision was well received in Region 2 during its regional grand launching which was held on November 24, 2016 in Tuguegarao City. It was attended by more than 190 guests from various sectors of the society such as the government, private, youth, and civil society sectors, the academe, and the media.

NEDA Undersecretary for Policy and Planning Dr. Rosemarie G. Edillon, the activity’s keynote speaker and guest of honor, explained that the AmBisyon is actually a play of words “ ambition and vision.

It is our vision for the future, 25 years from now, the Undersecretary said. It is not a plan, it is a vision for Filipinos and the Philippines, which could be a basis for unity among Filipinos.

She further stated the AmBisyon’s vision as: 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 and we have the freedom to go where we desire, protected and enabled by a clean, efficient and fair government.

In short, what we actually really want is a simple and comfortable life,” she explained.

She added that the AmBisyon is also aimed to be an anchor for development planning across four administrations and a guide for engaging with international development partners.

Usec. Edillon noted the presence of about 40 students from higher education institutions in the region and recognized their strong enthusiasm for the AmBisyon.

We are happy to see so many students in this gathering, she averred. We really need the youth to embrace this vision and see it through.

Stakeholders share insights on the AmBisyon

With its realistic and doable components, the AmBisyon received positive responses from the audience during the launching.

For Cagayan Provincial Governor Manuel N. Mamba, the AmBisyon’s vision of every Filipino having a simple and comfortable life is echoed in the Cagayan Development Agenda (CAGANDA) 2025, which the province has embarked on since he started his term as governor.

Both the AmBisyon and the CAGANDA 2025 are blueprints for the future of our people as both aspire for better lives for them across all aspects of development, he said in his opening remarks which was delivered by Provincial Administrator Joseph Llopis.

He added that it is imperative especially for the people in government to work together for these visions to be realized. He further encouraged the community to give their full support and share these visions with their peers.

Four other stakeholders representing the government, private, and youth sectors as well as the academe shared their impressions and insights on the AmBisyon after Usec. Edillon’s presentation.

They were Dr. Troy Alexander G. Miano, the Acting Head of the Isabela Provincial Planning and Development Office; Engr. Romeo R. Vasquez, a well-renowned farmer-entrepreneur and currently one of the 12 private sector representatives of the Regional Development Council 2; Mr. Cherson C. Bariuan, a student leader from Saint Paul University Philippines and one of the national finalists for the 2016 Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines; and Dr. Armenio C. Liban, Jr., the Director for Research of the University of Cagayan Valley.

Government services to help Filipinos achieve the AmBisyon

A highlight of the regional launching of the AmBisyon was the plenary session composed of presentations of selected government services that can aid people to get started or take the next step toward realizing their aspirations for a matatag, maginhawa, at panatag na buhay.

These government services cover the three components of the AmBisyon, namely (1) Matatag at Balanseng Buhay, which features services that help people keep their families intact, achieve work “life balance, and allow them to spend enough time with their family even while they work or pursue their careers; (2) Maginhawang Buhay, or services that enable people to be gainfully employed and earn enough for the kind of life they want for their families; and (3) Ligtas at Panatag na Buhay, which features services that enable individuals and communities to achieve peace and security and to be resilient against shocks, whether man-made or caused by natural hazards.

For the session on Matatag at Balanseng Buhay, Mr. Oscar B. Abadu, Jr., the Regional Vice-President of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), presented PhilHealth’s e-services, particularly the My PhilHealth Portal which can be accessed by PhilHealth members for their various needs. He added that PhilHealth is promoting and advocating a Healthy Lifestyle for its members through intensified health education to protect them from potential diseases.

Engr. Reynald Alan of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) next presented DOLE’s JobStart program during the plenary on Maginhawang Buhay, including other services that support students in finding employment while in school or after graduating from college.

Finally, for the last session, Department of Science and Technology Assistant Regional Director Dr. Teresita A. Tabaog presented the agency’s developed facilities and technologies that play major roles in building resilient communities and in disaster management.

Sealing their support to the AmBisyon

NEDA Regional Director MaryAnne ER. Darauay, through OIC-Assistant Regional Director Ronilo H. Bulseco, thanked the guests for taking time to witness the grand launching and said that this event is symbolic both for the citizenry and for the country.

She also encouraged them to continue supporting this endeavor by advocating the AmBisyon to their peers, constituents, and clients.

To solidify this commitment, the participants put their signatures in the Pledge Wall, which carried the tagline, With this signature, I seal my belief, commitment, and action to this Vision. This pledge wall will soon be displayed in a conspicuous area at the lobby of the NEDA Regional Office Building as a continued advocacy effort for the AmBisyon.