Nearly 7 out of 10 Filipinos gave President Benigno Aquino III a good starting score for his first 100 days in office despite a botched hostage crisis and the jueteng controversy, a survey conducted by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) showed.
The Sept. 28-29 survey found 69 per cent of respondents across all geographical areas and sectors satisfied with the Aquino administration’s initial performance, against the 31 per cent dissatisfied.
President Aquino also scored high net satisfaction ratings (% satisfied less % dissatisfied) in 10 out of 15 issues tested in the survey.
The policy against the use of wang-wang or sirens on the road earned for President Aquino the highest satisfaction rating of +82. He was also rated highly for ensuring transparency (+74) and fighting graft and corruption (+52).
President Aquino gained a good rating of +34 both for reducing the budget deficit and investigating officials linked to anomalies, +28 for controlling dengue, while recording moderate ratings in the areas of jobs and livelihood (+14), education (+10), Cabinet appointments (+9), and public-private partnerships (+6).
About half of Filipinos rated the administration fairly for its efforts to alleviate poverty and control the spiraling prices of basic commodities.
On the other hand, only 17 per cent of respondents were satisfied with the government’s handling of the Manila hostage crisis last August 23 where eight Hong Kong tourists died and which made international news.
President Aquino also acquired poor ratings in curbing jueteng (-10) and in pursuing peace initiatives with secessionist and extremist groups (-14).
The same survey showed that Filipinos perceive President Aquino’s credibility and simple lifestyle, good governance and strong political will, and fight against graft and corruption as his strongest marks as a leader.
Sec. Sonny Coloma of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) credited this to President Aquino’s unwavering commitment to good and honest leadership as embodied in his campaign slogan “Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap.”
He added that President Aquino is focused on the work ahead and remains committed to eradicate corruption and alleviate poverty.
Meanwhile, respondents want the Aquino administration to focus on jobs and livelihood (78%), anti-corruption measures (63%), and quality education (59%) in the days ahead.
The PIA poll was fielded nationwide with 629 respondents coming from various sectors including elected and appointed government officials, business groups, religious leaders, uniformed men, laborers, and members of the media. (PIA)
