Gov’t satisfaction rating dropped in first quarter of 2014

MANILA, Philippines - Fewer Filipinos expressed satisfaction with the Aquino administration in the first quarter of this year, the Social Weather Stations (SWS) said in its latest report.

The government’s net satisfaction rating fell by six points to +45 in the first quarter of this year, the lowest recorded since May 2012, the SWS March 2014 poll showed.

The survey found 65 percent satisfied and 20 percent dissatisfied with the present administration, for a net score of +45 classified as “good.” Fifteen percent of respondents were undecided.

Its net satisfaction rating was +51 or 71 percent satisfied, 19 percent dissatisfied and 10 percent undecided in December last year.

The Aquino administration’s rating dropped by eight points at +56 but remained “very good” in Mindanao.

It also fell in balance Luzon and the Visayas, to a “good” +41, down by 11 points and +45 or down six, respectively.

However, it increased by seven points to +37 “good” in Metro Manila.

By socioeconomic class, satisfaction with the government fell by 22 points to +32 among the ABC class, by six points to +45 among the D or masa, and by two points to +48 among the poorest or E.

Results of the SWS first quarter of 2014 poll were published in the newspaper BusinessWorld yesterday.

Meanwhile, out of the 17 issues rated, the SWS said the government obtained seven “upgrades,” four “downgrades” and the rest steady.

The Aquino administration scored “very good” on the following issues: providing basic elementary and high school education +63 from +67 last September; helping victims of disasters +60 from September’s +68; and helping the poor with a rating of “very good” +55 from December’s “good” +49.

It obtained “good” ratings on foreign relations with +44 from a “very good” +50 three months earlier; promoting the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (unchanged at +44); and defending the country’s territorial rights (+44 from a “very good” +52).

It also garnered “good” scores on transparency in government activities with +43 from September’s “very good” +51; reconciliation with Muslim rebels (+38 from a “moderate” +21 in December); reconciliation with communist rebels (+34 from a “moderate” +21); and providing jobs (+30 from +36 last September).

The government, meanwhile, received “moderate” scores on fighting terrorism with +27 from a “good” +33 in December; fighting crime (+22 from +18); and eradicating graft and corruption (+14 from “neutral” +8).