Metro Manila less optimistic about PH economy

MANILA, Philippines — Halfway through the administration of President Benigno Aquino III, Filipinos have yet to feel the benefits of the country’s impressive economic numbers, according to a Pulse Asia survey released on Wednesday, July 31. 

The national average shows 4 in 10 Filipinos, or 43%, say the Philipine economy is “unchanged.” At least 28% of the respondents said it is “better now,” while 29% said it is “worse now.” All the surveys since October 2010 showed that most Filipinos feel the economy hasn’t changed much.

The national averages in the new survey hardly changed since the last survey in March. But broken down, the numbers in Metro Manila showed that residents have become less optimistic about the Philippine economy. 

“Figures recorded at the national level and across geographic areas and socio-economic classes are constant between March and June 2013. The only significant change is the 15-percentage point decline in the percentage of Metro Manilans of the view that the state of the Philippine economy improved over the previous year,” according to the Pulse Asia report.

15% drop in Metro Manila

The respondents were asked the question: “If you compare the state of the national economy now with that of last year, would you say that [it is] …?” They were asked to choose from “better now,” “same,” or “worse.” 

The number of Metro Manila residents who said they find the economy “better now” than the previous year dropped 15 percentage points — from 40% in March to 25% in June. 

At least 50% said the state of the economy is unchanged. It is an increase in 11 percentage points compared to 39% that shared the same sentiment in March.

Those who say that it is “worse now” is up 4 points from 21% in March to 25% in June. The change is not so significant statistically.

ABC not too happy

Based on socio-economic classes, most respondents say the economy is unchanged. But the number of respondents who say the economy is better also dropped.

Among ABC respondents, those who say the economy is better dropped from 37% in March to 30% in June. Among the D respondents, it dropped from 35% to 30%. Among E respondents, it also dropped from 28% to 20%

Numbers also dropped in the rest of Luzon, although it is not as big as the numbers in Metro Manila. The respondents saying the economy is better dropped from 34% in March to 27% in June. Those who say it is “the same” hardly changed from 51% to 48%. Those who say the economy is worse increased from 14% to 24%. 

Numbers in the Visayas and Mindanao hardly changed in the last 3 months, too.

READ: Visayas lifts Aquino’s ratings

The survey also showed there’s a growing concern among Filipinos about controlling inflation and creating jobs.

It also showed that most Filipinos spent more on food and electricity the past 3 months than in previous periods. — Rappler.com