MANILA, Philippines – While nearly half of Filipinos remain optimistic that corruption in the government can be minimized, Malacañang on Thursday admitted that solving economic problems is still a work in progress.
“Sikmura kasi talaga ‘yan kaya’t siguro nandoon na rin ‘yung aspeto ng higher expectations among our people, how they wish government can really be more effective,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said of the latest Pulse Asia survey, which listed inflation and workers’ pay as among the top concerns of Filipinos.
(Those are gut issues. That’s why our people have higher expectations. They wish government can really be more effective.)
The September 8 to 15 poll showed that the top concerns of Filipinos were controlling inflation (50 percent), improving pay of workers (49 percent), fighting graft and corruption (41 percent), creating jobs (38 percent) and reducing poverty (35 percent).
Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
These are also among the topics that received poor approval ratings.
Coloma said the economic management team of the country is working hard to reduce inflation.
“From a high of 4.9 percent, nasa 4.4 (percent) na tayo ngayon at patuloy pa ring binabantayan ito ng ating Bangko Sentral dahil sila ‘yung pangunahing ahensya sa paglaban sa inflation, and they have all the tools of monetary policy para ma-regulate ‘yon,” he said.
(From a high of 4.9 percent, we are now at 4.4 percent and the central bank continues to monitor the situation because it is the primary agency addressing inflation through monetary policy tools.)
He added that the National Price Coordination Council continues to strictly monitor, track and regulate the price of important food and basic commodities.
When it comes to workers’ compensation, Coloma said the government is already implementing performance-based incentives amid issues pertaining to retirement and pension that need to be addressed.
“When it comes to the private sector, we have what we call market forces. So if the economy is well, theoretically, the private companies should be producing more revenues and more substantial cashflows that would enable them to share a greater portion of what they are earning with their workers through salary increases or salary adjustments,” the Secretary said.
Coloma said the positive results of the survey showing higher approval rates for fighting criminality and corruption is because of the efforts of the government.
“Dapat siguro nating ikalugod kung nakikita natin na nagbubunga ‘yung pagsisikap ng ating pambansang kapulisan na mahikayat o mahimok ang partisipasyon ng ating mga mamamayan,” he said.
(Perhaps we should be happy because now we see the fruits of the labor of the Philippine National Police to encourage the participation of the citizens.)
Asked if it bolstered the argument to keep PNP Director General Alan Purisima in office despite controversies, Coloma said the official has shown that he is capable in fighting high-profile criminals and organized crime syndicates, among others.
Coloma also said more people are now seeing the results of President Benigno Aquino III’s campaign against corruption.
“Dati kasi ang mga bagay na ‘yan ay napag-uusapan lamang o nababalitaan lamang o nandoon lamang sa level ng mga congressional hearings. Ngayon ay nakita ng mga mamamayan na naisulong na ‘yung prosekusyon, kumikilos ‘yung Office of the Ombudsman, nakapagsampa ng mga kaso sa Sandiganbayan,” he said.
(In the past, such anomalies are just being discussed and tackled during congressional hearings. Now the people see that the suspects are being prosecuted, the Office of the Ombudsman is working and the Sandiganbayan has been able to file cases.)
RELATED STORIES
Slower September inflation to boost 2nd half GDP, says DOF
Pulse: Aquino gov’t anti-corrupt drive score improves