Malacañang is glad that the number of Filipinos who expect to have better lives and a more robust economy remain “very high,” despite there being a slight decrease compared to the previous survey of the Social Weather Stations.
The latest SWS survey showed a “very high” net personal optimism score of +43 percent and a “very high” net economic optimism score of +44 among Filipinos.
Both, however, represented a decline. The latest net personal optimism score was down three points from the previous SWS survey, while the net economic optimism score showed a 12 point decline.
Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said he was taking note of the “very high net gainers,” at +19, who said that the personal quality of their lives had improved compared to a year ago.
This was an improvement over the +11 score in the previous survey, Andanar said.
“The survey results likewise inspire us in the government to roll up our sleeves and double our efforts in improving the lives of the disadvantaged and the marginalized,” he said.
“As the President said, ‘For what good will progress be if its benefits do now trickle down to the poorest of the poor,’” he added.
He said the Duterte administration would be pursuing big-ticket infrastructure projects that would eventually make agriculture competitive, improve transport and mobility, and improve health and other social services.