The latest survey by Publicus Asia Inc. showed that most Filipinos continue to hold a positive outlook on the state of the country and its economic prospects.
The Pahayag 2023 Second Quarter Survey of 1,500 respondents showed that most expressed optimism regarding the current state (51 percent) and direction (68 percent) of the country as well as the national economy (69 percent) and household financial prospects (70 percent).
Notably, government workers demonstrated the most improved views, Publicus Asia said.
On the other hand, the 18-24-year-old and non-working demographic expressed growing dissatisfaction (61 percent in Q1 to 53 percent in Q2) with the country’s state, direction and economic prospects. Limited educational and employment opportunities contributed to their negative sentiments and fostered a sense of disillusionment, Publicus Asia said.
Other demographics that showed a decline in positivity were non-Catholics (71 percent in Q1 to 63 percent in Q2), and vocational workers (75 percent in Q1 to 69 percent in Q2).
The North-Central Luzon region witnessed a decrease in positive sentiment, falling from 71 percent in the first quarter to 66 percent in the second quarter.
There was a significant increase in positive sentiments among the 25-29-year-old age group and government workers, the research company said.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he was elated over the results of the latest survey.
Marcos obtained high approval and trust scores, getting 62 percent and 57 percent, respectively, according to the Publicus survey conducted from June 8 to 12.
In an interview after the Securities and Exchange Commission’s 85th-anniversary celebration at its headquarters in Makati City, the President welcomed the poll results, saying it is an indication that Filipinos stand with him as he strives to give them a comfortable life.
“Perhaps, this is a result of unity and our collaboration. That’s why they are saying our economy, the Philippines, is heading in the right direction. That means we stand together. And that’s what we’re really talking about,” Marcos said in Filipino.
The poll found that the “favorable” national issues for the second quarter are the use of renewable energy (87 percent), the nationwide launch of Kadiwa outlets (81 percent), and the establishment of living wages for workers (81 percent).
The respondents also welcomed the implementation of the suggested retail price on basic commodities (79 percent), tax on the rich (76 percent), and digital food stamp program (72 percent).
Pahayag 2023 is an independent and non-commissioned survey conducted by Publicus Asia Inc. between June 7 and 12. It is a nationwide purposive survey with 1,500 respondents randomly drawn from a market research panel of over 200,000 Filipinos maintained by PureSpectrum, a US-based panel marketplace with a multinational presence with respondents, and distributed across five geographical areas: National Capital Region (NCR), North Central Luzo, South Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Only registered Filipino voters were included in the sample, ensuring that the results accurately represent the sentiments of the voting population.
Marcos thanked the Filipinos for their continued support for him and his administration, assuring them that the government is exhausting all efforts to improve the economy.
At the same time, the President has institutionalized the Philippine Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP), a multilateral organization of reformers inside and outside of government.
Under Executive Order (EO) 31 signed by Marcos on June 20, the PH-OGP has been institutionalized as a “multi-stakeholder partnership responsible for overseeing and implementing the country’s commitments to the OGP.”
“The Philippine Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP) has evolved into a vital platform for introducing governance reforms through harnessing technology, creating synergy with CSOs (civil society organizations), and mainstreaming these innovations in various levels of government,” the EO read.
“To further strengthen the engagement of government and non-government champions, there is a need to institutionalize the PH-OGP as a mechanism for the delivery of more effective and sustainable actions to address current social concerns,” it added.
EO 31 forms a steering committee that will be chaired by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) secretary and serve as policy- and decision-making body for the PH-OGP.
The PH-OGP Steering Committee is mandated to ensure that open government values are embedded in government policies and programs.
Members of the PH-OGP Steering Committee include the Executive, Local Government, and Social Welfare secretaries; the National Economic and Development Authority director general; four government sector representatives identified by the chairperson as non-permanent members; Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines national president; and 10 CSO representatives.