SWS: Most voters think polls can't solve economic woes

Most Filipinos believe that the May 14 elections will make little difference in solving what they think is the country's most important problem — which is the economy, particularly unemployment. According a survey conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS) from April 14 to 17, two of three Filipinos believe that the economy is the most important problem. "With reference to the most important problem in their own city or municipality, on the other hand, one-third cite the economy, one-tenth cite infrastructure, and one-fourth have no answer," the SWS said in a statement posted on its website (www.sws.org.ph). Under the category of economic problems of the country, unemployment is the single most common complaint, at 26 percent, followed by inflation at 20 percent, and poverty in general at 17 percent. Some 16 percent of the electorate believe that the category of governance covers the most important problem of the country. In this category, 14 percent cited the issue of corruption or public morality. The next most cited categories of national problems are democracy (3 percent), crime (3 percent), security problems (2 percent), and social services (2 percent). Only 5 percent could not cite an important national problem. The economy and infrastructure are the most important local concerns. Public perceptions about the most important local problem are more diverse, with 32 percent citing economic matters as the most important problem in their city or municipality. Within this category, unemployment is cited by 19 percent, followed by poverty (6 percent) and inflation (5 percent). The economy is deemed the most important local issue by 36 percent in Luzon and the Visayas, 27 percent in Mindanao, and 22 percent in Manila. Next to the economy, 13 percent cited infrastructure as the most important local problem. Inadequate roads, bridges, and water supply are mentioned by 22 percent in Mindanao, 17 percent in the Visayas, 12 percent in the National Capital Region, and only 6 percent in the rest of Luzon. Only 5 percent cite governance as the most important local problem. On the other hand, the SWS said majority of the respondents believed the May 14 elections will not matter in solving the national problems. It said 54 percent believed the May 2007 elections will make little or no difference at all in solving the most important problem of the country today, while 36 percent say it will make a big or very big difference. The remaining 10 percent gave no answer. On solving the most important problem in their locality, a plurality of 39 percent said the May 2007 elections will make little or no difference, while 33 percent say that the election would make a big or very big difference. The balance of 29 percent have no answer. The SWS survey used face-to-face interviews of 1,200 registered voters divided into random samples of 300 each in Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao, with sampling error margins of ±3 percent for national percentages and ±6 percent for area percentages. The April 2007 survey included a module on electoral reform sponsored by The Asia Foundation. - GMANews.TV