Better life, economy in 2018 – SWS; 6.7% growth – ADB

THE Social Weather Stations (SWS) says that more Filipinos are optimistic that their quality of life and the economy will improve next year.

More Pinoys remain hopeful — on SWS: Sa walang sablay!

*** The Asian Development Bank (ADB) also announces the raising of its 2018 growth forecast for the Philippines from 6.5% to 6.7%.

Charge it to Magic 3 factors: Strong household consumption, manageable inflation and infrastructure investment.

*** SWS said 47 percent of Filipino adults expect their lives to improve in the next 12 months against 4 percent who expect it to get worse.

Net personal optimism of +42 is “excellent,” concludes SWS. *** Its survey shows a two-point increase above the excellent +40 recorded in June, notes SWS. Optimism rising.

*** SWS points out that that net personal optimism had been “excellent” +40 and above since 2015.

Aside from “hopeless romantics,” we also have “hopeful Pinoys.”

*** SWS says the two-point rise in net personal optimism nationwide is a result of increases in Mindanao, Metro Manila, and the Visayas.

DU30 factor affecting national optimism? Let’s hear from researchers.

*** On the ADB side, the multilateral bank says it raised the PH growth forecast this year from 6.5% to 6.7%, and also it’s 2018 forecast from 6.7% to 6.8%.

Expect Malacañang to say: Thank you, ADB. Ang daming blessings! *** In its Asian Development Outlook (ADO) 2017, the bank cites as reasons strong household consumption and manageable inflation.

Pinoys apparently love to consume more, come what may. *** ADB also cites infrastructure investment pouring in. Of course, President Duterte has made that promise.

*** “This outlook assumes that growth in the government’s infrastructure program will accelerate, supported by improvements in budget execution, with more large investment projects underway,” the ADB explains.

Members of Congress would say “Yes, just look at our recently approved 2018 national budget.”

***

Congress leaders say they have allotted 1130 billion for infrastructure projects under next year’s budget, or “funds, funds, funds for DU30’s build, build, build program.”

Well, what Du30 wants, Du30 gets!