Aquino gov’t satisfaction ratings down

PUBLIC SATISFACTION with the general performance of the national government fell last quarter to a fresh all-time low for this administration, with declines recorded across all indicators, the Social Weather Stations (SWS) said in its latest report.

Results of a June 27-30 nationwide survey with 1,200 adults bared 56% (from 65% in the first quarter survey) satisfied, 18% (from 15%) “neither satisfied nor dissatisfied,” and 26% (from 20%) dissatisfied with the government’s general performance. The resulting “moderate” +29 net satisfaction rating was down from the “good” +45 in the first quarter and “very good” +51 when 2013 ended.

“This is a new record-low for the Aquino administration, surpassing the previous record low,” SWS noted in a statement, referring to the previous lowest score of +44 hit in May 2012.

The Aquino government’s satisfaction rating was “very good” in 10 out of the 15 surveys since September 2010, the SWS said.

The SWS classifies net satisfaction ratings of +70 and above as “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.”

SWS noted that the Aquino administration’s public satisfaction rating hit record lows in all geographic areas and declined across socioeconomic classes.

In Metro Manila and “Balance Luzon” public satisfaction with the general performance of the government fell to a “moderate” +16 (from +37) and +26 (from +41), respectively. It also fell to a “good” +34 in Mindanao from the “very good” +56 in the first quarter. It remained “good” in the Visayas, although down four points to +41 from the +45 score last March.

Public satisfaction with the Aquino administration fell among those in class D to a record-low “moderate” +27, 18 points down from a “good” +45 in March. Previous record-low “good” +44 was recorded in March and May 2012, the SWS said.

It also saw a downgrade to “moderate” +27 among those in class ABC, from the “good” +32 in the first quarter.

While it stayed “good” among class E, it was down 10 points to +38 from the +48 last March.

The drop in public satisfaction towards the general performance of the administration echoed that of President Benigno S. C. Aquino III, whose second-quarter net satisfaction rating fell to its lowest since he took office four years ago by 20 points to a “moderate” +25.

Public satisfaction with key government officials and top government institutions similarly recorded declines last quarter.

A Malacañang spokesman said the government — despite “ebbs and flows” in public opinion polls — remains committed to reforms, while a political analyst said the results show the public’s “performance expectations” have not been met.

Rated on 17 issues, the government scored:

• “good” in six (protecting the environment, providing enough supply of electricity, defending the country’s territorial rights, promoting welfare of overseas Filipino workers, foreign relations, and helping the poor);

• “moderate” in seven (reconciliation with Muslim rebels, fighting terrorism, providing jobs, reconciliation with Communist rebels, fighting crimes, tax collection, as well as eradicating graft and corruption);

• “neutral” in ensuring that no family will be hungry;

• “poor” in two (fighting inflation and ensuring that oil firms don’t take advantage of oil prices); and

• “bad” in resolving Maguindanao massacre case with justice.

Asked to comment, Communications Secretary Herminio B. Coloma Jr. replied in a text message: “We note that a majority of those surveyed have expressed satisfaction with the administration’s overall performance.”

“We are determined to carry on with the reforms that have been initiated…,” Mr. Coloma said, adding: “We are more concerned on delivering what we have promised, than on ebbs and flows of ratings. What matters most is our scorecard at the end of the term.”

Nicole C. Curato, a sociologist at the University of the Philippines, said in an e-mail it is worth noting that the administration is “not faring well in crucial indicators of inclusive growth, including helping the poor, providing jobs and zero hunger,” while political analyst Ramon C. Casiple said via text that the results showed the President and his team “are in trouble” and “need to perform” better. — Imee Charlee C. Delavin, Businessworld