Mixed scorecard for Arroyo gov’t

BY JOSEFA L. CAGOCO, BusinessWorld Senior Reporter Filipinos Believe the Arroyo administration has performed satisfactorily in terms of international affairs, assisting the poor, battling terrorism and giving away land to farmers, but say it bungled in keeping prices low, fighting corruption, and addressing hunger, according to a new Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey. "Of eight topics probed, respondents were mostly satisfied with the National Administration on four topics, neutral on one, and mostly dissatisfied in three," the survey research institute said about the poll, fielded from June 27 to 30 and made exclusive to BusinessWorld. Filipinos were most satisfied with how the administration handled foreign relations: 50% gave their approval versus 27% who did not for a net rating of +22. On the other hand, "inflation, followed by corruption, are the two biggest sources of public dissatisfaction," the SWS said. "The national administration has typically enjoyed positive net satisfaction ratings on foreign relations," it said, save for once in 1995 when the net rating dipped to -7 at the height of a crisis involving domestic helper Flor Contemplacion who was executed in Singapore for murder. "The foreign relations net rating ranged from +19 to +32 since recovering from net +15 in May 2005," the SWS added. Filipinos also think the government did well in helping the poor, resulting in a net rating of +19 (52% satisfied, 33% dissatisfied but still lower by six points from February’s. The administration’s performance in this area, the SWS said, "has trended roughly upward" since recovering from a low of -7 in May 2005. The results have ranged from a net -4 to +25 over the last eight quarters. The anti-terror drive also gained a positive net rating of +18 (49% satisfied, 31% dissatisfied) while its land distribution effort had a net rating of +11 (44% satisfied, 33% dissatisfied). The government has had positive ratings on fighting terrorism, ranging from +6 to +21 in the past two years and turning neutral only in the first half of 2005. In terms of fighting crime, however, the administration received a neutral net score of -3 (38% satisfied, 41% dissatisfied), a dip after the net +10 in February. The SWS noted that the public has given "more or less neutral ratings" in this area, ranging from -9 to +10 in the last two years. The government’s worst showing was December 2004’s -12. The Arroyo administration, meanwhile, did badly in terms of ensuring that no family would be hungry (-17), eradicating graft and corruption (-18), and fighting inflation (-25). The SWS said the dismal score on hunger was down from February’s -10 as only 30% said they were satisfied with the government’s effort against 47% who were dissatisfied. The Arroyo administration has had disappointing marks on this issue since it was first surveyed in August 2005 during which the net score was -31. The public gave the government a record low of -34 in March 2006. A separate SWS poll showed hunger incidence at double-digit rates since June 2004 to June 2007, reaching a record of 19% in November 2006 and February 2007. It went down to 14.7% this June. Majority of Filipinos were also dissatisfied with how the government dealt with price increases (55%). The SWS said the public has consistently given the government failing remarks on this issue since it was first surveyed in November 1991. The Arroyo administration’s net rating in fighting inflation has ranged from -43 to -22 from the beginning of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s new term in 2004 until 2006. Dissatisfaction likewise prevailed on how the administration handled corruption. The SWS said net ratings become neutral or slightly positive only at the beginning of a new administration. For Mrs. Arroyo’s government, dissatisfaction subsided in the last three quarters to a range of a net -19 to -14 after dipping to -30 in 2006. Political analyst Benito Lim said the issues handled unsatisfactorily, such as inflation, corruption and hunger, were those that had direct impact on the public. "They [public] are just reflecting what they see from their daily experience," said Mr. Lim said. The public’s negative response had "basis", he added. He also granted, however, that there was also "basis" for the government’s positive grades, but added it had received help from its own propaganda machine. Mr. Lim said Mrs. Arroyo has received praise from international government and business leaders, and the public has credited the government for aid from foreign donors. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in January also generated plenty of good publicity, he added. Cerge M. Remonde, director-general of the Presidential Management Staff, said it was about time Mrs. Arroyo’s performance in foreign relations was given due recognition. "We can see that Mrs. Arroyo is really respected on the world stage," he said. Measures taken to help the poor and farmers are also generally appreciated. "The government is taking action. Whether it’s going to be accomplished [is another thing]," he said. "The perception is the government is doing something about it." Mr. Remonde admitted that perception on corruption and rising prices has always been negative and was "understandable" "It’s more of perception than reality," he claimed. "But it is also reality that it will take time for the benefits of the good economy to trickle down because of the very nature of our socioeconomic structure." Mr. Lim concluded that the Arroyo administration’s ratings during this survey round were "not significantly high" nor were they "dramatic or spectacular". But "There is at least some improvement going on," he said.