More Filipinos optimistic – poll

MANILA, Philippines – Filipinos remained optimistic in the face of recession and job displacements, according to a recent survey.

The Pulse Asia survey showed that from last year’s 22 percent, the number of Filipinos with a positive outlook went up to 29 percent.

Conducted from Feb. 2 to 15, the nationwide survey on the “Expected Change in Personal Quality of Life by Next Year” showed that in March 2008, only 22 percent were optimistic.

The figured dipped to 12 percent in July and returned to 22 percent in October.

Last February the number went up to 29 percent.

Those who believe that their lives would be worse next year rose from 37 percent in March 2008 to 64 percent in July 2008.

However, it slid down to 44 percent in October and was further reduced to 35 percent last February.

But there were those who believed that no change – whether positive or negative – would come next year.

The latest figure stands at 36 percent, compared to 33 percent in October last year.

Data also disclosed that more females looked on the brighter side than males.

Exactly 31 percent of women surveyed were hopeful about what next year would bring, compared to 27 percent of men.

Metro Manilans were the most optimistic, with 37 percent, followed by those in Luzon at 36 percent.

Only 20 percent of people in Mindanao were optimistic and those from the Visayas registered19 percent.

In terms of the pessimism per region, Mindanao with 45 percent had poor expectations about their lives next year, while the Visayas, Luzon and Metro Manila showed a rating of 37 percent, 31 percent and 25 percent, respectively.

About 37 percent of people belonging to the social classes A, B, and C see a bright future.

As for those in class D, only 30 percent of them see promise, and class E had 23 percent.

The Pulse Asia survey also showed a trend that optimism was alive among the young, compared to senior citizens.

Those belonging to the age bracket of 18 to 24 were 40 percent optimistic; 25-34 years old were 33 percent optimistic; 35-44 years old were 31 percent; 45-54 years old were 24 percent; 55-64 years old were 21 percent; while among those 65 years old and above, only 12 percent were looking forward to next year.

Among the six age brackets, the biggest decline in pessimism was monitored in the 25 to 34 age group, wherein the 47 percent figure in October 2008 slid down to 32 percent.

Confidence was spotted among college students with 45 percent.

But a huge drop or 16 percent in pessimism was seen in the group of people who are taking vocational classes and those who have only finished their secondary education.

The 54 percent in October last year went down to 38 percent.

A 13 percent reduction among those with no formal education or those who have only completed elementary education was found with 52 percent in October 2008, compared to 39 percent in February this year.

The same 13 percent difference was observed in the unemployed sector: 44 percent to 31 percent.

The Pulse Asia survey, which had a three to six percent margin of error, was done nationwide.

There were 1,200 respondents, or 300 people each from the National Capital Region, Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao. – Evelyn Macairan, Philippine Star