LOREN'S ADVOCACY MISSION: A CALL TO USE THE 'HAPPINESS INDEX'
[PHOTO - THE LOGO OF LOREN LEGARDA'S UPCLOSE PAGE. GO VISIT HER UPCLOSE AT... http://www.lorenlegarda.com.ph/loren_profile.php
PHILIPPINES, DECEMBER 7, 2010 (Loren Legarda Website) (Loren urges inclusion of a Gross National Happiness index in government's economic indicators November 21, 2010)
Senator Loren Legarda renewed her call for the Philippine government to change the way economic growth is measured, amid increasing interest among countries, such as the United Kingdom and France, to institute a "happiness index" in measuring a country's growth.
"Along with the gross domestic product and other traditional economic yardsticks, it is equally important for us to know whether our economic activities make our people in the environment they live in healthier, educated and better acquainted to their cultural roots," Legarda said.
Senator Legarda, recounting her advocacy mission in Bhutan in May 2009 as United Nations Regional Champion for Disaster Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation for Asia-Pacific, added, "We should be inspired by The Kingdom of Bhutan. Their development philosophy of Gross National Happiness transcends the concept of Gross National Product as it presents its four pillars --- sustainable and equitable socio-economic development, environmental conservation, promotion and preservation cultural, and good governance. The adoption of these GNH indicators, in fact, makes the Bhutanese people strive to preserve their environment and cultural heritage and thus promotes sustainable development."
"Our government avidly monitors the growth rate of the country, with a decimal increase provoking a barrage of expressed pride among economic managers. But there still remains gross inequality of income among social classes. On top of that, and this is probably the height of injustice, disasters are added misfortunes that the poor simply cannot and should not be made to bear. I believe this neglect stems from the fact that we don't measure growth by other more meaningful standards," Legarda lamented.
"As we continue to measure growth in terms of economic indicators, we forget those equally important factors such as good governance, socio-economic development, environmental and cultural preservation. We should incorporate these criterion in our country, just like in Bhutan."
"I am eager to work with the government's economic team, should it require legislation, for us to go the extra mile of taking into account the quality of life of our people and the quality of our environment in measuring growth. New indices that factor in environmental protection and investments in disaster risk reduction would more accurately reflect development, particularly of the vast majority of our people who can no longer accept the growing gap between statistics that show continuing progress in growth and the increasing hardships they experience in their daily lives. Most important, this will provide context and perspective for crafting and implementing fundamental policy changes that will be needed by the government to sustain and foster life in the country," Legarda concluded.
FROM THE PHILSTAR INBOX WORLD
What do you think of Sen. Legarda's suggestion to use a 'happiness index' in addition to traditional yardsticks to measure economic growth? (philstar.com) Updated December 02, 2010 12:00 AM
Alexander Raquepo, Ilocos Sur: I find the 'happiness index' not appropriate as a yardstick to measure economic growth. We can be happy despite having a very meager income.
Ishmael Calata, Parañaque City: There is no harm in using a 'happiness index' so long as there would be other measures to complement and the process would be done properly.
Hard to define
J.C. Punongbayan, Quezon City: First, unlike income, it is extremely difficult to define a concept as broad and subjective as "happiness". Second, different countries are likely to use different variables for happiness. Third, the resources we would spend devising a new happiness index would perhaps be better spent to address pressing problems. The GDP is an imperfect measure of welfare, but as Jane Austen once said, "A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of."
Ignacio Anacta, Metro Manila: I wonder what common parameters Sen. Loren Legarda can suggest to define a 'happiness index' to measure our economic growth? Is the pork barrel of our honorable congressmen enough to make them happy? How about a hot pan de sal + hot chocolate to a sickly beggar early in the morning? I believe that Filipinos are generally happy people, but I'm sure most of us are wondering why we are left behind economically by most of our Asian neighbors while many of our previous presidents, senators, congressmen and other government officials become multi-millionaires?
Jannee San Luis, Metro Manila: That's true, it is relative. Given the negative tendencies of most Pinoys, I don't think a happiness index will be accurate at all.
Felix Ramento, USA: The good senator wants to redefine economics. While happiness indeed is the ultimate purpose of man's existence, how can we quantify emotion as a factor of material growth? Besides, the degree of people's reactions to material possession varies and therefore is not constant.
Concepcion Gaspar, Laoag City: A happiness index will not help measure economic growth because it is relative. What makes one happy may not hold true for others. It depends upon one's values and outlook in life.
Happy people
Lorenzo A. Fernandez Jr., Cabanatuan City: The Philippines is one of the happiest countries in the world, its people known for their happy-go-lucky attitude. So if this is one yardstick to measure economic growth, then we can be considered progressive, using Senator Legarda's very romantic 'happiness index' suggestion.
Abelardo Abilay, Laguna: The idea is not feasible because Filipinos are known to be happy people. In the midst of adversities, we can still smile and help other people. If smiling faces and content hearts represent economic growth, then our country is a runaway winner.
Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: If we follow that way of thinking, then we would be one of the most progressive nations in the world.
What happiness?
Jim Veneracion, Naga City: I only have these words for Sen. Loren: You can never be happy with an empty stomach.
Not an effective gauge
Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: I don't think it will be an ideal measurement of economic growth because there are several factors why Pinoys, regardless of their economic status, are generally happy and this has been confirmed in several studies.
Roger Caravana, Bulacan: The happiness index as a yardstick to measure economic growth will not give a true picture of the country's situation.
Rey Onate, Palayan City: Happiness index as a yardstick to measure economic growth? Wow, I am laughing pero gutom ako! Mayaman na ang Pilipinas kung ganun ha ha ha. Ang galing ninyo.
Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: If people who are informal settlers can afford to buy alcoholic drinks, a pack of cigarette, pulutan, karaoke, DVD player, and a host of other amenities that are not supposed to be found in a depressed area, then it can be inferred that economically, families living there are not basically needy or poor. Forgive my prejudice on this matter, but I find it hard to accept that one can consider himself economically challenged yet happy.
Elpidio Que, Vigan: Loren is wrong. Filipinos normally smile when being interviewed about anything, even if they're already suffering from stomach ulcers. They can laugh on the outside and cry in the inside like those who lose political elections. This may be one of Loren's tools to get back in the limelight. If this so-called 'happiness index' is a yardstick to measure economic growth, why is it not being used in Japan, Europe and the United States?
Deo Durante, Camarines Sur: This move of Sen. Legarda is good for nothing for it will not reveal the real pulse of the economy. Don't you know that in progressive countries people are unhappy? In many cases, we can only find happiness when we live a simple life.
Carla Roncales, Metro Manila: Using happiness as an indicator of our economy's growth is not reliable. Objective measures such as life span, income and education, are more appropriate to use instead of happiness, which is relative.
We would only be fooling ourselves
Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: Uplifting the quality of life of the people through the delivery of basic services like health care, education, etc. are the real yardsticks to measure economic growth. We are by nature happy people despite our hardships. A "happiness index" is not an accurate but rather a deceptive measure to camouflage the real state of our economy.
Robert Young Jr., San Juan: If we use happiness as a yardstick to measure economic growth, that will put us ahead of many advanced economies. According to a study, most of the miserable people are not from the underdeveloped but those from advanced nations like Japan and Singapore, the two First World countries in Asia. Suicide rates are highest among the Japanese while Singaporeans are some of the most competitive people in the world. People living in underdeveloped countries like Filipinos have simpler needs, most of them very happy just to have three square meals a day. Using a happiness index can be a way to erase our economic problems without lifting a finger. But then, we would just be fooling ourselves.
Stop dreaming
Ruben Viray, Antipolo City: This is the wish of a happy lady. However, using the happiness index in measuring the economic growth of the country would be difficult for not every citizen of the Philippines seems to be happy about his or her life. Look around, most especially in the countryside and the southern part of the archipelago. There are plenty of poor people and the suggestion is unbelievable. Stop dreaming, Sen. Legarda.
Cris Rivera, Rizal: It's a proposal for dreamers. Sen. Legarda wants us to fool ourselves, to smile even if at times we miss a meal for a day.
Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: Sen. Loren Legarda must be dreaming with her suggestion to have a happiness index as measurement of economic growth.
Morality equals happiness
Elmo Cruz, Manila: Sen. Loren Legarda believes that whatever success on the material aspect will not last if people become immoral. People with good morals are always happy in spite of the economic crunch and they are together in seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit to address the problems of the nation.
Good for politicians
Lolong Rejano, Marinduque: A happiness index could be a better gauge if used to measure the growth in the wealth of politicians. Simple, just look around and see how happy and wide the smiles of politicians, their families and cohorts are. The more we see them wasting the people's money, the more Filipinos will live in poverty.
Why not try it?
Miguelito Herrera, Cabanatuan City: Even if she came up with the best solution to a problem, her critics wouldn't agree with her. But I agree with her challenge. Let's put a happiness index angle and see whether it makes a difference.
Funding needed
Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro City: A good idea but remember, no new idea put forward is expense-free. I'd rather see such additional funding be allocated to tangible projects that would benefit and make people truly happy.
Simple yet complicated
Desuel Pardo, Mandaluyong City: Using a happiness index as an additional means of measuring economic growth would be simple but at the same time complicated. It is simple as love makes life qualitatively happy but when people run out of money, love jumps out the window and life is beset with complicated problems.
Factual approach
Dr. Jose Balcanao, Benguet: The 'happiness index' is a more factual approach in measuring whether Filipinos live a healthier, more educated and quality life. Such 'happiness index' can also measure the rate of poverty incidence and the degree of environmental protection and disaster preparedness.
Brilliant idea, if…
Carmela Ramento, Cagayan de Oro City: The idea of a happiness index to measure economic growth can only be considered brilliant if and only if it can put food on the table of majority of our people.
Lucas Banzon Madamba, Laguna: Sen. Legarda's suggestion to use a happiness index to measure economic growth will only be effective if resources will be used and maximized properly.
Reality index
J.R. Mondonedo Jr., Parañaque City: How about a reality index instead? That way, people will really know what's real and accept whether it's good or bad. They should use that 'happiness index' to measure the happiness of congressmen with their pork barrel.
Uncharacteristic of Loren
Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: I find it very hard to believe that Sen. Legarda suggested adding "happiness" as an additional index to measure economic growth. I've always considered Sen. Legarda as one of the brightest and most sensible lawmakers and she knows that Filipinos are a happy lot but that has no connection to economic growth. Does it mean because thousands of happy Filipinos join or watch "Willing Willie", we already have economic growth? Or just because millions of Filipinos joined the "Ati-atihan" and "Sinulog" street dancing in Roxas and Cebu, it means that we are achieving economic recovery? This kind of an idea is shallow for someone of Sen. Legarda's stature.
Running out of ideas?
C.B. Manalastas, Manila: Wala na bang ibang maisip si Loren Legarda upang mabigyan-pansin siya muli sa media?
Kudos
Gerardo Diaz Lopez, Metro Manila: Congratulations to Drian Francisco for his sensational overseas debut! Another Filipino boxing champion in the making.
The way i see it
Al Galindez, Cavite: Re $.2-million grant to fund Oriental Mindoro hydropower study, clean technology is always a welcome approach. All that we have to determine is the financial and commercial viability of the proposed project.
Cecille Reynon, Occidental Mindoro: Re DOT fiasco, baka mabuti pa kung si Cheche Lazaro ang ginawang DOT Secretary instead of Alberto Lim. Baka she has a better grasp of things.
Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.
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