SWS: 60% of Pinoys say gov’t should take lead vs COVID-19

MANILA, Philippines — The majority of Filipinos believe the national government must assume greater responsibility in addressing the coronavirus crisis as the country faces rising cases, despite having the longest and most stringent lockdown in the region.

In the Social Weather Stations (SWS) July 3 to 6 mobile phone survey, 1,555 respondents were asked: “In your opinion, which of the two do you think is more responsible for solving the COVID-19 crisis? Is this the national government headed by the President, or the local government headed by the governors and mayors?”

Three out of five or 60 percent answered that the national government is more responsible while 23 percent said the local governments units (LGUs) are more responsible. Fourteen percent said both are equally responsible for solving the COVID-19 problem.

By geographical areas, 61 percent in Metro Manila said the national government is more responsible, rather than the LGUs, while 60 percent held the same view in the rest of Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.

Majorities in both urban (60 percent) and rural (61 percent) areas shared the same opinion.

The belief that the national government, rather than the local government, is more responsible for solving the COVID-19 crisis is statistically higher among those with less education.

It is 66 percent among elementary graduates, 63 percent among nonelementary graduates, and 61 percent among junior high school graduates, compared to 58 percent among those with some college, and 53 percent among college graduates.

The survey had a margin of error of plus-minus 2 percent.

—With a report from Inquirer Research