P-noy rating dips from very good to good in SWS poll

PUBLIC satisfaction with the performance of the Aquino administration has slipped from a “very good” net score of plus-56 in December to a “good” net score of plus 46 in March, according to a recent survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS).

The survey showed 64 percent of respondents were satisfied while 18 per- cent were dissatisfied with the administration’s general performance.

In terms of addressing specific issues, the survey found that the administration scored “very good” net satisfaction ratings in helping the handicapped (plus 57), helping victims of disaster (plus 50) and promoting human rights (plus 50).

It scored a “poor” minus 17 in resolving the Maguindanao massacre case with justice, its lowest mark among 19 issues raised in the survey.

The survey, conducted from March 10 to 13, used face-to-face interviews with 1,200 respondents. It had a margin of error of plus-or-minus 3 percentage points.

Malacañang officials appeared pleased with the survey results and said the ratings would spur the administration all the more to do what was best for the country.

The net satisfaction score is the difference between the percentages of satisfied and dissatisfied responses.

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

By regions

Across the regions, the government’s net satisfaction ratings fell 18 points in Metro Manila (from plus 64 to plus 46), 13 points in Luzon outside Metro Manila (from plus 52 to plus 39) and nine points in the Visayas (from plus 58 to plus 49).

In Mindanao, its rating dipped by a hair from plus 56 in December to plus 55 in March.

Across socioeconomic classes, the administration’s net satisfaction ratings fell by 16 points among members of Class ABC (from plus 54 to plus 38) and by 13 points in Class D (from plus 57 to plus 44).

Among Class E respondents, it went down slightly from plus 53 in December to plus 52 in March.

Foreign relations

The survey also looked into the administration’s performance on 16 other issues.

It scored “good” net satisfaction ratings in promoting the

Helping the handicapped

Promoting human rights

Foreign relations

Transparency in government activities

Having clear policies

Promoting foreign investments

Reconciliation with communist rebels

Eradicating graft and corruption

Fighting inflation Resolving the Maguindanao massacre case with justice welfare of overseas workers (plus 49), handling of foreign relations (plus 46), helping the poor (plus 44), fostering transparency in government activities (plus 42), developing

Jun11 Sep11 Dec11 Mar12

+57

+50

+46

+42

+41

+33

+25

+17

-17 tourism (plus 42), having clear policies (plus 41), fighting terrorism (plus 33), promoting foreign investments (plus 33) and fighting crime (plus 31).

The administration’s satisfac- tion scores were “moderate” on issues concerning reconciliation with communist rebels (plus 25) and Muslim rebels (plus 22), in eradicating graft and corruption (plus 17) and ensuring that no family will be hungry (plus 10).

The administration’s satisfaction scores were “neutral” in fighting inflation (zero) and ensuring that oil firms don’t take advantage of oil prices (minus 3).

The Palace said the survey results showed that people continued to back the administration.

‘Strong support’

“With 64 percent of respondents remaining satisfied with the Aquino administration, we take this as strong support for the straight and narrow path that we have consistently pursued, ’’ presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said.

In a statement, Lacierda said the latest rating “shows continued appreciation of the initiatives of your government.”

“We have always maintained that surveys are a reflection of the national mood and are valuable tools in feeling the pulse of our people at a given time,” he said.

“That is what drives us to do even better in the years to come,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said.