Survey shows hike in Braganza rating

Agrarian Reform Secretary Hernani Braganza garnered a six percentage point increase in his net approval rating from nine percent in April to 15 percent in July this year, according to the latest Pulse Asia survey.

The Pulse Asia poll, which covered the period April to July 2002, also improved its net approval rating from 33 to 39 percent. The net approval rating is the difference between the approval and disapproval rating obtained by a government official or a government agency.

The Pulse Asia survey noted that 71 percent of respondents approve of Braganza’s performance and believe that the DAR secretary is a "good human being."

Fifty-five percent of this group maintained that Braganza is a "diligent" executive who runs his Department "effectively and competently." Fifty-four percent believe that Braganza has been helpful to the poor.

"Despite criticisms form detractors, it seems the Filipinos appreciate the work being done by the DAR and Secretary Braganza," said Pulse Asia research director Felipe Miranda.

"To their credit, the DAR and Secretary Braganza are perceived by the public to be working with each other. This is manifest in the fact that public approval (or disapproval) for either party tends to increase public approval (or disapproval) for the other,"Miranda added.

During the survey period, Pulse Asia also noted that 56 percent of those who are aware of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program "believe that the present DAR administration has helped in the proper implementation of the program."

Included in the top five of most approved agencies were the Department of Health (75 percent), Department of Education (74 percent), Department of Social Welfare and Development (68percent), Department of Agriculture (59 percent) and DAR (54 percent).