MANILA, Philippines – Public satisfaction with the Aquino administration bounced back during the second quarter of 2015, according to a June 5-8 recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey.

The SWS survey showed that net public satisfaction with the national government went up by 12 points to a “good” +31 from first quarter’s “moderate” +19.

The survey, first published in BusinessWorld and released 3 weeks before the final State of the Nation Address of President Benigno Aquino III, attributed the improvement in the ratings of the national government to the “gains across socioeconomic classes and most geographical areas except Metro Manila, which recorded a negligible fall.”  

Gain in Luzon

BusinessWorld reported that the government’s satisfaction rating improved significantly in Luzon, gaining 21 points to a “moderate” +29 in June from a “neutral” +8 in March.

Visayas remained in the “good” category, as it gained 9 pints from +34 in March to +43 in June.

Mindanao leaped to “good” from “moderate” last quarter, with an eight-point growth to +34 from +26.

Only the National Capital Region slightly declined. Although it stayed on the “moderate” range, it went down 3 percentage points, from +21 to +18.

The margin of error is plus or minus 3 percentage points.

Specific issues

Out of 20 issues, SWS reported that the Aquino administration got net satisfaction ratings of “good” on 6 issues, “moderate” on 5, “neutral” on another 5, “poor” on 3, and “very bad” on one issue.

The pertinent issues during the time of survey were the West Philippine Sea dispute, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-Cov), the identity of Senator Grace Poe, and the K to 12 system, among others.

The Aquino administration scored “good” in addressing specific issues, such as:

• improving the quality of children’s education
• providing enough supply of electricity
• helping the poor
• promoting the welfare of OFWs [Overseas Filipino Workers]
• foreign relations
• defending the country’s territorial rights
• ensuring that medicines are available

It scored “moderate” in the following issues:

• Defending the country’s territorial rights
• Restoring peace to Mindanao
• Giving justice
• Fighting terrorism

The administration, however, scored “poor” in fighting inflation, “ensuring that no family will be hungry,” and “ensuring oil firms do not take advantage of oil prices.”

It recevied a “very bad” net public satisfaction rating of -50 on the issue of the resolution of the Maguindanao massacre case, which remains unsolved to date.

The government, however, earlier said the case will be solved by 2016. (READ: Maguindanao massacre conviction by 2016? De Lima still optimistic)  

‘Make the right choice’ in 2016

Malacañang welcomed the results of the survey, saying it is an affirmation of the administration’s commitment to “Daang Matuwid” (Straigh Path).

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said that with less than a year left, the administration is keen on further improving the economy. 

Lacierda reiterated the call for the public to choose wisely in 2016, citing the importance of the “continuity of Daang Matuwid.”

“Likewise, beyond 2016, it is the public who will ensure the continuity of Daang Matuwid, and make the right choice for the benefit of generations to come,” Lacierda said in a statement.

Aquino earlier said the same thing in his speech during the 68^th founding anniversary of the Philippine Air Force. (READ: Aquino: Stick with ‘Daang Matuwid’ after 2016) 

It’s also evolving into a campaign theme for Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, who is being groomed by the Liberal Party as its standard-bearer in 2016.

The President said he will announce his choice after his last State of the Nation Address end of July. – Rappler.com