By Helen Flores
MANILA – The net satisfaction rating of the Aquino administration hit a record low but remained in “good” territory in the May 2012 survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS).
The SWS poll, taken from May 24 to 27, found 63 percent of the respondents saying they were satisfied with the performance of the government, while 18 percent said otherwise, for a “good” satisfaction rating of 44, down from March’s 46 (“good”). SWS said the Aquino government’s May 2012 score was its lowest net rating so far. Its highest net rating of 64 was achieved in September and November 2010.
However, the survey research institution noted that the Aquino administration’s score remained better than those of previous administrations, where the highest 36 was reached in November 1998 under former President Joseph Estrada. Results of the SWS May 2012 survey were published in the newspaper BusinessWorld yesterday. Popularity sustained Malacañang, for its part, bragged that President Aquino beat all his predecessors – excluding his late mother, former President Corazon Aquino – in terms of sustained popularity, which went on until his second year in office.
“The Aquino administration has enjoyed the longest period of public support since the survey began in February 1989,” Secretary Edwin Lacierda, spokesman for Aquino, said in a statement released to the media. The Cabinet member noted the “sustained and positive numbers” that the Chief Executive has been enjoying, which are “testament to the Filipino people’s enduring trust in our policies, initiatives, and reforms.” “The recent SWS survey shows continued satisfaction with the national administration. Prior to the State of the Nation Address of the President, the administration received a satisfaction net rating of 44,” Lacierda said. Still the same SWS said satisfaction with the government “hardly changed” in most geographical areas and socio-economic class, except in the Visayas and among the ABC class where it fell to “moderate” from “good.” It stayed “very good” in Mindanao, improving to 58 from 55. It also remained “good” in balance Luzon at 45, up by six points from March.
However, it fell by five points but remained “good” in Metro Manila at 41, and plunged by 20 points to a “moderate” 29 in the Visayas. By socioeconomic class, the administration’s net satisfaction score dropped by two points but stayed “very good” at 50 among the class E. It remained “good” (44) among the class D or “masa” but dropped by 11 points to 27 among the ABC.
Meanwhile, the government scored “good” in six out of 12 key issues rated in the survey. These included the areas of promoting the welfare of overseas Filipino workers, 39 from 49 in March this year; and providing enough supply of electricity, 37 from 57 in March 2000 (when the issue was last tested). It also received “good” scores in defending the country’s territorial rights, 35 from 27 in December 2000; helping the poor, 35 from 44 in March this year; distributing land, 34 from 29 in September 2010; and foreign relations, 33 from 46 in the last survey.