P-Noy satisfaction rating rebounds in Q3 – SWS

MANILA, Philippines - After falling to a record low in June, public satisfaction with President Aquino rebounded in the third quarter with improvements recorded across all areas, a latest survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed.

Nearly six in 10 Filipinos or 59 percent said they are satisfied with Aquino’s performance, while 25 percent said otherwise, giving him a net rating of “good” +34, the SWS said.

This was an improvement from June’s net satisfaction score of “moderate” +25 (55 percent satisfied, 30 percent dissatisfied).

The SWS nationwide survey, taken from Sept. 26 to 29, used face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults nationwide. The results were published in the newspaper BusinessWorld yesterday.

But the September survey by Pulse Asia released last Thursday showed more Filipinos are dissatisfied with the way the Aquino administration handles major concerns affecting Filipinos, including increasing the workers’ pay and reducing poverty.

SWS explained the rise in Aquino’s net satisfaction rating was due to improvements in all geographical areas, with the highest increase recorded in Metro Manila and in balance Luzon.

Aquino’s net satisfaction rating rose to +22 (52 percent satisfied, 30 percent dissatisfied) in Metro Manila from the “neutral” +6 (44 percent satisfied, 38 percent dissatisfied) in June.

It was up by 13 points to +29 (57 percent satisfied, 27 percent dissatisfied) in balance Luzon from +16 (51 percent satisfied, 35 percent dissatisfied) previously. His new rating, however, remains under “moderate” category.

In the Visayas, Aquino’s satisfaction rating remained “good” but up by four points to +43 (65 percent satisfied, 22 percent dissatisfied) from +39 (63 percent satisfied, 24 percent dissatisfied).

It also rose by three points but stayed “good” in Mindanao at +43 (65 percent satisfied, 21 percent dissatisfied) from +40 (62 percent satisfied, 22 percent dissatisfied) recorded in June.

Satisfaction with the President’s performance in urban areas increased by 12 points but stayed “moderate” at +27 (56 percent satisfied, 29 dissatisfied) from +15 (50 percent satisfied, 35 percent dissatisfied) previously.

His rural net satisfaction also improved to +40 (62 percent satisfied, 22 percent dissatisfied) from +35 (60 percent satisfied, 25 percent dissatisfied.

By socioeconomic class, Aquino’s net satisfaction score rose by 12 points to a “good” +34 (59 percent satisfied, 26 percent dissatisfied) from the “moderate” +22 (54 percent satisfied, 32 percent dissatisfied) among the D or “masa.”

It increased by seven points to +38 (60 percent satisfied, 22 percent dissatisfied) from the second quarter’s +31 (58 percent satisfied, 27 percent dissatisfied) among the class E.

But Aquino’s net satisfaction rating fell by five points among the class ABC to “moderate” +27 (58 percent satisfied, 32 percent dissatisfied) from a “good” +32 (57 percent satisfied, 25 percent dissatisfied).

Poll results prod Noy to work harder

President Aquino told reporters in Bali, Indonesia that the results of the SWS survey and Pulse Asia poll would prod him and his Cabinet to work harder.

“When we look at surveys, we take into account the sentiments of our countrymen when the survey was taken, so we must listen to them and find out, are we remiss in something? Is our messaging wrong? So all of these we try to fix so we can maintain unity so that we can all move forward towards our ideal state,” Aquino said.

Aquino thanked the respondents who rated him favorably, adding he continues to “push” himself and his Cabinet not to be content with their accomplishments but find ways to improve the delivery of basic services.

As for those who remain unimpressed with his accomplishments, Aquino said he is willing to meet with his critics to explain his side.

He cited a group that had been critical of the controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program. He said that after meeting with its members for over two hours, he was able to convince them that there was nothing illegal in the DAP.

Malacañang officials are also elated with the result of the SWS survey and said that it is an indication that Aquino is still the most popular president compared to his predecessors and that his detractors are wrong to say that his public satisfaction ratings are on the downtrend.

“If you review the ratings of the President by himself and historically, 59 percent (public satisfaction rating) at gross is one of the highest. President Aquino’s lowest rating in the SWS survey was 55 percent… President Aquino’s ratings remain historically high compared to the same period of other administrations,” said deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte.

“The professional naysayers and predictors of doom will perhaps find it inconvenient that their predictions of a (down)trend have not materialized,” she added.

For his part, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the heightened level of public satisfaction, approval and trust towards the Aquino administration “provides the impetus for intensified efforts to strengthen infrastructure for sustained and inclusive growth.”

He also stressed that the Aquino administration is committed to plug the gaps in service delivery and address concrete challenges such as the projected energy shortfall in the summer of 2015, and improve the country’s international airports and other gateways in keeping with hard-earned recognition as the most favored tourist destination in the Asia-Pacific. – With Paolo Romero, Delon Porcalla