Malacañang is elated over a survey on personal optimism that shows Filipinos look forward to having a better quality of life and an improved economy in the next 12 months.
But much needs to be done, said presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella.
Abella welcomed the results of the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey conducted in June showing that 44 percent of Filipinos expected their personal quality of life to improve in the next 12 months and only 4 percent believed it would get worse.
The SWS said the net optimism score of +40 was considered “excellent.”
Antipoverty programs
Another 39 percent of respondents were optimistic that the economy would get better and 12 percent believed it would deteriorate.
Abella said the government had to build more infrastructure projects and launch antipoverty programs to ensure tangible improvements in the country’s social and economic well-being.
Tax reform package
“However, much more needs to be done, such as implementing institutional changes. The government has thus certified as urgent a comprehensive tax reform package to boost the economy and accelerate infrastructure development while raising spending for the poor,” Abella said.
He said “this would lay down a strong foundation for inclusive and sustainable growth to enable our people to achieve their aspiration of a strong, comfortable and stable life,” he added.
The administration’s comprehensive tax reform package has hurdled the House of Representatives but is under intense scrutiny by the Senate because of the proposed tax increases on fuel, sweetened beverages and cars.
Abella also noted that the Duterte administration had made “significant strides” in helping the marginalized and disadvantaged sectors in its first year, which are geared toward reducing the poverty rate to 14 percent by 2022.