MANILA, Philippines -- Even as President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo continuously harps about a robust economy, 86 percent of Filipinos believe that the economy is "worse now" than in 2005, while 75 percent say their personal quality of life worsened over a one-year period, amid skyrocketing oil prices and record inflation, an independent survey showed.

Pulse Asia Inc. asked 1,200 respondents nationwide to describe the state of the economy now, compared to how it was in 2005, and 86 percent said it was "worse now," 10 percent said it was the "same" while four percent said it was "better now."

In its March survey, 66 percent said the economy was "worse now" compared to three years ago, 23 percent said it was the "same," while 11 percent said it was "better now."

"Despite claims of economic growth by the national administration, 86% of Filipinos say the national economy has worsened in the last three years -- a view articulated by big to overwhelming majorities (76% to 93%) across all geographic areas and socio-economic classes," Pulse
Asia said.

The study, conducted from July 1 to 14, showed that 75 percent of Filipinos think their personal quality of life grew "worse" compared to last year, while 84 percent said the national quality of life has worsened.

The figures showed an increase from the 59 percent who saw their personal quality of life, and the 71 percent who saw the national quality of life grow "worse" over a one-year-period during the last survey in March, Pulse Asia said.

Moreover, Filipinos were growing "pessimistic" with 64 percent, saying that they expect their personal quality of life to be "worse" next year, and 79 percent saying that they see the national quality of life worsening next year, it said.

The figures also showed an increase in pessimism from the March Pulse Asia survey, wherein 37 percent said they expected their personal quality of life to grow worse, and 52 percent said they expected the national quality of life to worsen.

The survey firm polled 1,200 respondents nationwide for the study, which has a margin of error of +/3 percent at the 95-percent confidence level.

Asked to describe their personal quality of life, compared to the same period last year, 75 percent said they were "worse now," 17 percent said they were "same as then," while only seven percent said they were "better now," Pulse Asia said.

Asked how they viewed the national quality of life compared to last year, 84 percent said the nation was "worse now," 12 percent said it was "same as then," while three percent said it was "better now," it said.

Pulse Asia said there was "hardly any movement" in the percentage of respondents who considered their personal and national quality of life as "better now" than last year.

Figures showed that the percentage of respondents who considered the quality of life as "same as then," decreased, as the number of those who saw the quality of life grow "worse" increased.

From 31 percent in March, 17 percent said their personal quality of life was "same as then" over a one-year period in July, and from 23 percent in March, 12 percent said the national quality of life was "same as then" in July.