9 of 10 Pinoys remain hopeful for 2016 – SWS, Pulse

MANILA, Philippines – Despite the various challenges they faced in 2015, a majority of Filipinos remain hopeful about the coming year, according to the latest surveys conducted by Pulse Asia and the Social Weather Stations (SWS).

The Fourth Quarter 2015 Social Weather Survey, conducted from Dec. 5 to 8, found 92 percent of adult Filipinos entering the coming year with hope, and only eight percent with fear.

SWS said in 2014, 93 percent of Filipinos entered the New Year with hope.

Meanwhile, the Pulse Asia survey, taken from Dec. 4 to 11, showed 89 percent of Filipinos who said they will welcome the New Year with hope and only one percent said otherwise. In Pulse Asia’s survey last year, 88 percent of Filipinos entered 2015 with hope.

SWS said hope in the coming year is widespread in all areas.

Hope in the coming year rose by three points in Metro Manila, from 91 percent to 94 percent, the highest since 96 percent in 2011.

However, it fell slightly by three points in Mindanao, from 91 percent to 88 percent.

It also dropped by three points in balance Luzon, from 96 percent to 93 percent.

It hardly changed in the Visayas, moving from 91 percent in 2014 to 90 percent in 2015.

Compared to last year, hope in the coming year fell slightly in all classes except class E, the SWS said.

It hardly changed in class E, moving from 87 percent in 2014 to 88 percent in 2015.

However, it fell by three points in class D, or the masa, from 95 percent in 2014.

It also dropped by two points in class ABC, from 95 percent to 93 percent.

Though slightly lower compared to the past two years, hope in the coming year remained widespread in all education levels, the SWS said.

It fell by four points among college graduates, from 95 percent to 91 percent now.

It hardly changed among high school graduates, moving from 94 percent last year to 93 percent this year.

It fell by three points among elementary graduates, from 94 percent to 91 percent.

It stayed at 89 percent among non-elementary graduates.

Highest in Metro Manila

Meanwhile, Pulse Asia said those expressing hope for the coming year was highest in Metro Manila with 95 percent, followed by Luzon with 89 percent, Mindanao with 88 percent and the Visayas with 85 percent.

Meanwhile, around one in 10 Filipinos or 11 percent were undecided on the matter as they admit being unable to say whether they will face the year 2016 with or without hope – a sentiment that is slightly more pronounced among Visayans than among Metro Manilans, it said.

Vital programs

Malacañang, for its part, yesterday said it endeavors to be part of the good vibes among Filipinos during Christmas and the New Year holidays by intensifying its efforts in implementing vital programs that broaden the scope of social welfare and protection, generate employment and livelihood opportunities for the people and sustain the gains of the economy during the past five years.