Rosales, Zoretch Dher E.

2nd Year MPA-PP

AmBisyon Natin 2040: What is the Philippines capable of becoming?

As stated in the AmBisyon 2040, the Philippines envisions to be a prosperous

middle-class society where no one is poor. Wherein people live long and healthy lives
and are smart and innovative. The country that is a high-trust society where families
thrive in vibrant, culturally diverse, and resilient communities.
To achieve this, the article stated that economic growth must be relevant,
inclusive and sustainable. Over the next 25 years (until 2040), per capita income must
increase by at least three-fold. More than the increase in income, economic growth
must progressively improve the quality of life of the majority of Filipinos. In particular,
AmBisyon can be partly achieved by having competitive enterprises that offer quality
goods and services at affordable services. Government must encourage investments in
these sectors by improving market linkages, simplifying government procedures, and
facilitating access to finance. These should also be complemented by appropriate
human capital development, science, technology and innovation. Following are the
priority sectors that have direct impact on AmBisyon: Housing and Urban Development;
Manufacturing; Connectivity; Education Services; Tourism and Allied Services;
Agriculture; Health and Wellness Services; and Financial Services.
Running on a platform of change, the Duterte Administration has introduced a
number of much-needed and long-awaited reforms, some of which have been
institutionalized through legislation. These game-changing reforms are expected to yield
net benefits to society and even provide a robust foundation on which to build resiliency.
The reforms that were personally notable for me are as follows:
a. The Rice Tariffication Law. This major reform in the agriculture sector
establishes a Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) which provides
assistance to rice farmers in the form of farm machinery and equipment, high-
yielding seeds, access to affordable credit, and skills training programs on farm
mechanization and modern farming techniques.
b. The Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act. As part of human
capital development, this reform provides free tuition in state universities and
colleges, free technical and vocational education and training, tertiary-education
subsidy, and student loans.
c. The Universal Health Care Act. This reform aims to provide health care
coverage to all Filipinos, when and where needed, without having to bear huge
financial burden. It is a package of health care reforms centered around health
care financing.
 d. The Social Security Act of 2018. This aims to strengthen the Social Security
System which is an important institution in building resilience. It also provides
economic support to workers who have been involuntarily displaced.
e. The Innovative Startup Act. This is centered around innovative and technology
startups which will provide them incentives, monetary, and operational support to
foster an innovative entrepreneurial culture.
f. The Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion or TRAIN Law. This tax
reform results in an increase in revenues that allowed for the expansion of
infrastructure and social services budget by correcting the inequity of the tax
system by reducing personal income taxes while broadening the tax base.
g. The Build, Build, Build program. The government embarked an ambitious
infrastructure program that increases spending for infrastructure from 4 percent
of GDP in 2016, based on actual disbursement, to 5.5 percent in 2021, and 4.3
percent in 2022.
h. The PhilSys Act. This is a national digital ID system that will provide every
Filipino with proof of identity. This national ID will facilitate transactions in
business and with government by providing a credible but easily accessible
instrument for “know your customer” protocols.

With the right policies, improvements in productivity and efficiency can more than
triple the gross national income per capita of the country in 25 years. This will enjoy a
middle-class standard of living. Poverty can also be eradicated by 2040, or sooner, with
the efficient policies and programs. Surely, once these reforms are enacted with love for
the country and upholds the highest competence and integrity, we will be like our
ASEAN neighbors—to be one of the fastest emerging economies.