More Filipinos undecided on gov’t anti-poverty efforts – Pulse Asia

By: 11 years ago

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Interestingly, more Filipinos seemed undecided if the Aquino administration is faring well in reducing poverty in the country, the latest Pulse Asia survey showed.

The survey said 43 percent of Filipinos surveyed were undecided when asked if they approve or disapprove of the government’s poverty reduction programs, despite the administration’s flagship dole-out program, the conditional cash transfer.

Meanwhile, 30 percent approved while 26 percent disapproved of the government’s efforts, the poll said.

“(A) considerable plurality of Filipinos cannot say if they approve or disapprove of the work done by the administration’s anti-poverty initiatives,” the survey released on Monday said.

Meanwhile, the Aquino administration only gained the majority’s favor in two of the 11 national issues – the government’s efforts in fighting criminality and promoting peace, Pulse Asia said.

“The Aquino administration registers majority approval ratings on only two out of the 11 issues on which it is performance-rated…” the survey said.

According to the survey, 59 percent approve of the administration’s efforts to fight criminality while 52 percent favor the government’s promotion of peace.

Meanwhile, a plurality of Filipinos approve of the government’s law enforcement (50 percent), anti-corruption drive (50 percent), defense of the country’s territorial integrity (48 percent), and the stoppage of environmental degradation (48 percent).

The survey also showed almost the same approval and indecision score among Filipinos in the following issues – jobs creation (41 percent versus 39 percent), population growth control (40 percent vs. 39 percent), and wage increase among workers (38 percent vs. 39 percent).

On the issue of inflation deemed most urgent by 50 percent of Filipinos, almost the same percentage of Filipinos disapprove or were undecided about its efforts (34 percent vs. 40 percent).

The survey also said Filipinos are “least inclined” to approve the governments efforts to curb inflation (26 percent approval rate) and reduce poverty (30 percent).

“(T)hey are least likely to be ambivalent on the matter of approving or disapproving its initiatives to fight criminality (28%) and fight corruption in government (30 percent),” the survey added.

The lowest figure in terms of disapproval rate is on the issue of peace promotion (12 percent), Pulse Asia added.

The survey results were released on the day US President Barack Obama arrived in Manila for his two-day state visit in a bid to rebalance its forces in the region amid China’s increasing political and military might.