Satisfaction with gov’t declined slightly–SWS

President Aquino. Public satisfaction with his administration remained “very good” despite a decline in net satisfaction rating from the results of the September 2013 survey, according to the latest Social Weather Stations survey. MALACANANG PHOTO BUREAU

MANILA, Philippines—Public satisfaction with the Aquino administration remained “very good” despite a decline in net satisfaction rating from the results of the September 2013 survey, according to the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey.

The results of the survey, which was first published in BusinessWorld, showed that 71 percent of respondents were “satisfied,” 10 percent were “ambivalent,” while 19 percent were “dissatisfied” with the government’s performance.

This resulted in a net score of a “very good” +51, down five percentage points from the +56 rating (71 percent satisfied, 13 percent ambivalent and 15 percent dissatisfied) recorded in September, which the SWS had also rated as “very good.”

The decline could be attributed to the administration’s lackluster response to the crises that hit the country in the previous quarter, political analyst Ramon Casiple said.

Vulnerable to public opinion

“The survey results should be a warning that the administration is vulnerable to public opinion,” Casiple added in a phone interview.

A magnitude-7.2 earthquake struck Bohol and nearby provinces on Oct. 15, leaving at least 222 dead. Less than a month later, on Nov. 8, Super Typhoon Yolanda barreled through Eastern Visayas, killing more than 6,000 people and causing damage estimated at P36.7 billion.

“Performance-wise, the administration should create more sound decisions and policies [to improve its ratings],” Casiple said. “Remove those officials who have tainted (its) reputation.”

The Aquino administration scored “very good” as well in foreign relations and defending territorial rights, but fared poorly in curbing inflation and in resolving the Maguindanao massacre case.

“Excellent” to “execrable”

SWS considers a rating of +70 and above as “excellent”; +50 to +69, as “very good”; +30 to +49, “good”; +10 to +29, “moderate”, +9 to -9, “neutral”; -10 to -29, “poor”; -30 to -49, “bad”; -50 to -69, “very bad”, -70 and below, “execrable.”

The administration’s net satisfaction rating fell sharply by 15 points in Metro Manila, but remained a “good” +30 from +45 in the previous quarter.

The net score also declined across Luzon (from +59 to +52) and the Visayas (from +60 to +51), but improved 11 points in Mindanao (from +53 to +64).

Among socioeconomic groups, the government’s rating dipped by eight points in the more comfortable Class ABC (from +62 to +54), by five points in Class D (from +56 to +51), and by four points in Class E (from +54 to +50).—Rafael L. Antonio, Inquirer Research