SWS: Satisfaction with government still high despite rising costs

MANILA, Philippines — Overall satisfaction with the Marcos administration remained high in the fourth quarter of last year despite poor public assessment on how it handled the rising cost of basic commodities, a survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed.

The survey, conducted from Dec. 12 to 18, found that 59 percent of the respondents were satisfied with the overall performance of the national administration.

Twenty-three percent said they were dissatisfied, while 17 percent were undecided.

This resulted in a net satisfaction rating of +36, 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 an official.

SWS classifies net satisfaction ratings of at least +70 as “excellent”; +50 to +69 as “very good”; +30 to +49 as “good”; +10 to +29 as “moderate”; +9 to -9 as “neutral”; -10 to -29 as “poor”; -30 to -49 as “bad”; -50 to -69 as “very bad”; and -70 and below as “execrable.”

December’s net satisfaction with the national government was similar to the +36 obtained in a similar SWS survey in September 2024. It was +40 in June and +29 in March last year.

The Marcos administration had a net satisfaction rating of “very good” +68 in October 2022, the first poll conducted since it began its term in June that year.

Specific issues

Similar to previous polls, addressing inflation obtained the lowest satisfaction among specific issues included in the survey.

Only 37 percent said they were satisfied with how the government deals with the rising cost of commodities, while 48 percent said they were dissatisfied. The rest were undecided.

This resulted in a net satisfaction rating of “poor” -12, slightly better than the “poor” -17 obtained in the September 2024 poll.

Three issues obtained “neutral” net satisfaction ratings: eradicating graft and corruption (39 percent satisfied, 42 percent dissatisfied), ensuring oil companies do not take advantage of oil prices (38 percent satisfied, 40 percent dissatisfied) and fighting crimes that victimize ordinary citizens (44 percent satisfied, 40 percent dissatisfied).

Some 54 percent said they were satisfied with the way the administration handles hunger, while 28 percent were dissatisfied, resulting in a “moderate” net satisfaction rating of +26.

Specific issues that obtained “good” net satisfaction ratings were implementing housing programs for the poor, ensuring food security, ensuring an efficient public transportation system, being prepared for strong typhoons, preparing for problems caused by climate change, telling the truth to the public and defending Philippine sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea.

The Marcos administration obtained “very good” ratings on five issues: helping victims of disasters, improving the quality of education, helping the poor, creating policies that will generate job opportunities and developing science and technology.

The survey had 2,160 respondents and a margin of error of plus/minus two percent.

Meanwhile, Malacañang thanked the public for supporting the Marcos administration but insisted that public service is gauged by the improvement in the lives of Filipinos.

“As always, we are grateful for the people’s support, as reflected in surveys that have consistently placed us in overwhelmingly positive territory. We are particularly thankful for the encouraging results regarding our response to calamities and disasters, our delivery of basic education, and our efforts to uplift the poor and provide jobs to all workers,” Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said in a statement.

He said the administration also appreciates the positive reception of its efforts to build housing, put food on tables and improve transportation.

“However, we maintain that polls are mostly a weathervane for public opinion. They reflect the support we receive for the policies we enact but not necessarily their impact. In that sense, the truest measure of public service is whether we improve our people’s lives. This remains the primary standard by which we measure our work,” the executive secretary said.

“Having said that, we value these periodic mood meter readings as feedback tools that allow us to further enhance our service delivery,” he added.– Alexis Romero