As PH ranking in happiness index drops, Palace pins hope on vaccines

Baguio entrepreneurs like this woman suffered during the lockdown and the prevailing quarantine, but have picked themselves up, brushed themselves off, and resumed their trade despite the coronavirus pandemic. PHOTO BY EV ESPIRITU INQ

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang expressed hope that Filipinos will become happier once the COVID-19 vaccine becomes available to everyone following a report that the Philippines’ ranking fell in the latest World Happiness Report.

The Philippines dropped to 61st out of 149 countries in terms of happiness from its previous ranking of 52nd, according to the United Nation-sponsored 2021 World Happiness Report.

In a televised briefing, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said he is saddened by the report as he attributed the decline to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Nalulungkot tayo na naging mas kakaunti ang mga maligaya sa bansa natin ngayon pero ito ay epekto ng pandemya,” Roque said.

(We are sad that lesser Filipinos are happy in our country but this is because of the pandemic.)

“Nandiyan naman po ang kumbaga pag-asa natin sa pagdating ng mga bakuna. So, inaasahan po natin na matapos mabakunahan ang lahat eh mas liligaya muli ang mga Pilipino,” he added.

(Our hope is already here with the arrival of the vaccines. So we expect that once everyone is vaccinated, Filipinos will also be happier.)

Finland remained the happiest country for the fourth year in a row. It is followed by fellow European countries like Iceland, Denmark, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.

EDV