Satisfaction with administration up anew–SWS

PUBLIC satisfaction with the performance of the Aquino administration rose slightly again in the third quarter based on the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey.

More than half of respondents, or 59 percent, said they were satisfied with the administration’s performance, while 22 percent said otherwise, resulting in a net satisfaction rating (satisfied minus dissatisfied) of +37, an increase from the +31 in June and the highest since the +45 recorded in March last year.

Those who were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied accounted for 18 percent. Thus, the Aquino administration maintained its “good” net satisfaction rating.

The survey was conducted from Sept. 2 to 5 and covered 1,200 respondents.

Malacañang welcomed the results of the survey, which showed overall satisfaction with the Aquino administration rising from 55 percent in June to 59 percent in September.

In a statement, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda noted “these positive results reaffirm our platform rooted in service and integrity, one that pursues widespread reform and ensures that the benefits of progress reach all Filipinos, regardless of their location, profession or status in life.”

SWS asked respondents if they were satisfied with the administration’s performance on 23 specific issues.

The government scored “good” on five issues, “moderate” on nine, and “neutral” on eight. But the government got a “bad” score of -47 in resolving the Maguindanao massacre.

Among the “good” scores included providing enough electricity with +44 net satisfaction; helping the poor with +39; foreign relations +37; promoting the welfare of overseas Filipino workers +34, and promoting human rights +31.

The government’s net satisfaction scores rose by six points in Metro Manila, from +18 in June to +24, while it was up by 15 points from +29 to +44 in Luzon outside of Metro Manila. The satisfaction in Mindanao remained at +34, while it dropped in Visayas from +43 to +34.

By socioeconomic class, net satisfaction with the government declined the most in classes ABC from +33 to +21. Scores improved in class D from +29 to +38 and in class E from +38 to +40.

Lacierda observed that the latest SWS survey results “follow a succession of positive news about the administration, including reform-led improvements in our country’s ratings in the World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Competitiveness Report and the World Bank’s Worldwide Governance Indicators report.”

“Compared to other administrations, the Aquino government has enjoyed historically high satisfaction ratings—the highest, in fact, in the recorded history of the SWS,” he pointed out.

Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma said the latest SWS survey results reflected the public’s confidence in the “daang matuwid.” Inquirer Research, with a report from Jerry E. Esplanada