PNoy gets 'barely passing' score in poverty reduction — Pulse Asia

Filipinos gave President Benigno Aquino III a "barely passing" grade when asked to assess his three-year-old administration in terms of reducing poverty, a recent Pulse Asia survey revealed Thursday.

 

Aquino received an average score of 75 percent in the issue of poverty reduction from 1,200 Filipino adults who participated in the nationwide Pulse Asia poll conducted from June 20 to July 4 this year, or weeks before the President's fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) last Monday.

 

This is the lowest average mark Aquino got in 11 issues presented by Pulse Asia to the survey respondents. His second lowest average grade, 77 percent, was given by the poll participants on the issue of controlling fast population growth.

 

Last April, the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) also reported that poverty incidence in the country during the first half of 2012 was at 27.9 percent, which was almost the same rate six years ago.

On Monday, Aquino boasted of his administration's gains in his fourth SONA. He also vowed to promote inclusive growth in his remaining years in office.

Passing grades in other issues

 

Meanwhile, Aquino received "good" average grades of 80 percent on the issues of economic management and delivery of basic services. 

 

Aquino also got passing marks in terms of strengthening political institutions, increasing peace, enforcing the law, strengthening foreign relations, fighting crimes and protecting the environment.

 

Pulse Asia also noted how the President received "basically the same passing grades on selected national issues as those he obtained after his first year in office."

 

The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus three percent, with a confidence level of 95 percent.

 

Prior to Aquino's fourth SONA, the Movement for Good Governance (MGG) also released an assessment of the Aquino administration. The group noted that Aquino's government has been making progress in certain fields, such as the economy and good governance, but is still behind schedule in many areas. — RSJ, GMA News