Most Filipinos want President Aquino to focus on job generation and livelihood programs and eradicating corruption in the days ahead, according to a nationwide survey conducted by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).
“The survey shows what the people want the President to do in the days ahead. Jobs and livelihood programs for themselves and their families are their real and immediate concerns,” PCOO Secretary Herminio Coloma said on Thursday.
The PIA survey was conducted from Sept. 28-29 and involved face-to-face interviews with 629 sectoral leaders, including elected officials, businessmen, religious, media, and the uniformed services.
Of those polled, 78 percent said jobs and livelihood should be on top of the government’s priority list, while 66 percent considered the fight against corruption as of utmost importance.
More than half (59 percent) of the respondents also urged the administration to improve access to quality education even as almost the same number (57 percent) recommended the implementation of measures that will control the spiraling of prices of basic goods.
“The people’s wish list is being addressed and the Aquino administration aims to fulfill its social contract with the Filipino people,” Coloma said.
The survey also shows that people (34 percent) see President Aquino’s integrity, simple lifestyle, and the people’s continued trust in him as his strongest point even as almost the same number (33 percent) considered his handling of the Manila hostage incident as his weakest point during his first 100 days.
He was also praised for the investments generated during his US trip (10 percent) and the prudent spending (6 percent) being practiced by his administration.
On the other hand, 19 percent of those polled pointed to factionalism in the Cabinet and appointment of underserving/corrupt officials as one of his low points during the same period.
The survey also wants President Aquino to prosecute officials linked to various anomalies (48 percent); stop jueteng and other illegal gambling activities (45 percent); pursue peace initiatives (44 percent); and fast track vital infrastructure projects (43 percent).
“The survey also gives us a clear idea of what the Boss wants. I am sure the President will respond in the best possible way he can,” Coloma said. (PIA)
