Satisfaction with Marcos government improves – SWS

MANILA, Philippines — Although still below its ratings at the start of the administration, satisfaction with the national government has recovered in the second quarter of 2024, a survey conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed.

The survey, conducted from June 23 to July 1, found that 62 percent of the respondents were satisfied with the administration of President Marcos. Twenty percent were dissatisfied, while 15 percent were undecided.

This resulted in a net satisfaction rating of +40, classified by SWS as “good.”

The net satisfaction rating is obtained by subtracting those who said they were dissatisfied from those who were satisfied with the performance of an institution or official.

Compared to the results of SWS’s first quarter survey this year, net satisfaction with the administration improved by 11 points, from “moderate” +29.

Despite the improvement, the latest performance rating of the administration was still below those it obtained in 2022 and 2023.

Its highest rating was in December 2022, when it obtained an “excellent” +74. It has since gone down in succeeding polls: +64 in March 2023, +60 in June 2023, +56 in September 2023, +52 in December 2023 and +29 in March 2024.

According to SWS, satisfaction with the administration improved across areas, with the highest in Metro Manila at +52 (from +43), followed by the rest of Luzon at +48 (from +42), the Visayas at +32 (from +18) and Mindanao at +25 (from +6).

It also improved across age groups and educational background of the respondents.

Inflation, graft

Despite obtaining high satisfaction ratings in most issues, the latest survey showed that Filipinos are still not satisfied with the administration’s actions to fight inflation and graft and corruption.

Only 35 percent said they were satisfied with the government’s efforts to lower the cost of basic goods and services, compared to 51 percent who were dissatisfied.

The resulting net satisfaction rating of “poor” -16 was five points better than the -21 in the March survey.

Meanwhile, net satisfaction in terms of eradicating graft and corruption was at -10 (37 percent satisfied, 47 percent dissatisfied), slightly up from -13 in March.

The Marcos administration obtained “very good” ratings on three issues: helping victims of disasters (+64), improving quality of education (+62) and helping the poor (+51).

It had five “good” ratings: implementing housing programs for the poor (+47), developing science and technology (+46), creating policies that will generate job opportunities (+45), ensuring an efficient public transportation system (+38) and ensuring food security (+35).

The government’s “moderate” ratings are on issues of climate change (+29), West Philippine Sea (+22) and hunger (+18), while it obtained “neutral” ratings on fighting crimes (-2) and oil prices (-3).

The survey had 1,500 respondents and a margin of error of plus/minus 2.5 percent.

Work ‘validated’

Marcos yesterday described as both a “validation” and a “challenge” the results of the SWS poll.

“While we are elated by this validation of our hard work, we view it more as a challenge to do even better,” the President said in a statement.
Marcos said the positive ratings always encourage the government, but it remains focused on improving the key metrics that fulfill its promises to the people.

“We take the high road in our efforts, not merely to seek popularity, but to render genuine and effective service that improves our people’s lives, strengthens our nation and secures our future,” he said. 
“More than the results of any opinion poll, this is the true reward and reaffirmation we seek,” Marcos added. – Alexis Romero