Identifying Development Priority Areas Using Index of Dissatisfaction: A Case Study of a Coastal Town in the Philippines

Abstract

In local planning practice, subjective well-being (SWB) approaches continue to gain traction. For the past two decades, researchers have devised tools that generate action or priority lists, such as by asking self-reported life satisfaction or satisfaction levels across aspects of their lives (e.g., health, finances). These listings are especially beneficial for rural areas where local income and other resources are inadequate and misdirected. This article examines residents’ perceptions of a rural coastal community in the Philippines on various personal and related factors affecting their well-being. A comprehensive collection of quantitative tools (e.g., principal component analysis, seemingly unrelated regression, and Index of Dissatisfaction (IDS) scores) were used to identify priority development areas and to understand the factors influencing such decisions. The research process, which was both comprehensive and inclusive, took into account various locations, ages, levels of formal education, household sizes and employment characteristics, which have distinct choices. This broad scope of the research ensures that the voices and needs of all residents are heard and considered, promoting a sense of fairness and equity in the planning process and making the audience feel more informed and involved in the process of regional development.