SWS: 70 percent of Filipinos satisfied with Aquino's performance

MANILA, Philippines (Feb 14, 2012) - The latest survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) that covers the fourth quarter of 2011 shows that 7 out of 10 Filipinos remain satisfied with the performance of the Aquino administration.

The SWS Fourth Quarter of 2011 Survey found 67 percent of respondents satisfied, 21 percent ambivalent and 11 percent dissatisfied with the government’s general performance, for a net rating of +56, unchanged from three months earlier.

SWS said the overall satisfaction score remained above those of all previous governments since the poll was started in February 1989.

Out of 19 specific issues, the Aquino administration scored “very good” on helping victims of disasters (+58); helping the handicapped (+55) and helping the poor (+51).

SWS said only 10 issues were monitored for all four quarters of last year; some were last tested in 2000 and 2001.

“Many issue-ratings are either included or excluded depending on their contemporary salience,” the SWS said.

The government obtained a “good” score (+46) on promoting the welfare of overseas Filipino workers, a five-point increase from the previous record of +41 seen in September 2011.

It also obtained “good” rating (+34) with regard to the issue of fighting crimes, surpassing the previous peak of +28 “moderate” recorded in December 1992. The government’s score last September was a “moderate” net +26.

It also received “good” scores for developing tourism (+35); for having clear policies (+34); for promoting human rights (+45) and for foreign relations (+43).

The administration obtained “moderate” scores in promoting foreign investments (+27), fighting terrorism (+27), and transparency in government activities (+27).

It received lower net ratings in terms of reconciliation with communist rebels (+20), reconciliation with Muslim rebels (+19) and eradicating graft and corruption (+15).

The Aquino administration scored “neutral” +9 in terms of ensuring that no family will be hungry; +8 for fighting inflation and -3 on the issue of ensuring that oil firms don’t take advantage of oil prices.

It scored “poor” (-18) on the matter of resolving the Maguindanao massacre, down from -13 last September.

By geographical area, the Aquino administration saw its net rating rise to “very good” in Metro Manila (+64 from +44) and stay “very good” in balance Luzon (+52 from +59), the Visayas (+58 from +51) and Mindanao (+56 from +63).

The government also scored “very good” across all socioeconomic classes: unchanged at +57 among the class D or “masa,” up a point to +53 for class E, and down 12 points to +54 for the ABC.

Meanwhile, Malacañang welcomed yesterday the results of the SWS survey showing the public was still generally satisfied with the performance of the Aquino administration.

“The recent measurement of public opinion indicates that the public not only sees, but has tangibly felt, the government’s efforts to improve services, push for inclusive growth and upgrade response to disasters,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said.

“It contradicts the hypercritical few who refuse to see the government doing its work, under the indivisible view that justice and expanding the economy must be jointly pursued,” he added.

Lacierda explained that they viewed public opinion indication of public concern over issues like oil and peace talks with the communist rebels.

“We believe this suggests that the public acknowledges our efforts but that solution is not entirely in the government’s hands alone,” he said. (From Philstar.com)