92% of Pinoys approve of Duterte's actions vs. COVID-19 spread

Ninety-two percent of Filipinos believe that President Rodrigo Duterte has done well in preventing COVID-19 transmission in the country, results of a recent Pulse Asia survey showed.

Of the 92%, Pulse Asia said 62% "truly approve" of Duterte's performance while 30% "somewhat approve." Mindanawans and Class D citizens gave him the highest approval with 98% and 95%, respectively.

Conducted from September 14 to 20, the survey also showed that 5% "may approve or may disapprove" of Duterte's actions to prevent COVID-19 transmission.

Despite criticisms from various groups and personalities, only 3% of Duterte's anti-COVID efforts — 1% "somewhat disapprove" and 2% "truly disapprove."

The Pulse Asia poll was conducted on 1,200 individuals aged 18 years old and above.

The nationwide margin of error is 2.8% at the 95% confidence level.

The latest survey comes days after results of a different Pulse Asia poll showing Duterte having the highest approval rating of 91% among the top five government officials amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ana Maria Tabunda, Research Director for Pulse Asia, said respondents of the survey gave Duterte high approval and trust ratings amid the COVID-19 crisis because of the government’s provision of financial assistance amid the community lockdowns.

Gov't performance

The same survey showed that 8 of  10 Filipnos or 84% approve of the work of the Duterte administration in controlling COVID-19 transmission and providing assistance to those whose livelihoods were affected by the pandemic.

Of the 84% who approve of the administration's efforts to control the spread of the novel coronavirus, 33% "truly approve" while 51% "somewhat approve."

Visayas and Class E citizens gave the Duterte administration the highest approval ratings with 86% and 85%, respectively.

Only 6% disapprove of the national government's action on controlling the spread — 4% "somewhat disapprove" and 2% "truly disapprove."

Assistance

As for providing assistance to Filipinos affected by the economic impact of the pandemic, 32% "truly approve" of the administration's efforts while 53 "somewhat approve."

"It may be noted that Mindanawons are more inclined to approve of
the Duterte administration’s efforts to assist those who lost their sources of income as a result of the pandemic compared to Metro Manilans (91% versus 75%)," Pulse Asia said.

The disapproval rating in this category is 7% — 5% "somewhat disapprove" and 2% "truly disapprove."

Worry level

Meanwhile, the same survey showed that nearly all Filipinos or 97% are worried about being infected with COVID-19.

Of the 97% worried, 84% were very much worried while 13% are somewhat worried.

The worry levels across geographical areas are almost identical at 97%, 95%, 97% and 98% in the National Capital Region, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, respectively.

Likewise, the worry level also breached in 90% across all social classes at  99%, 97%, 92% in ABC,D and E, classes, respectively.

Key issues

Among the issues that dominated the headlines during the conduct of the survey were the resignation of PhilHealth President and CEO Ricardo Morales over health reasons; the release of the initial findings of the Task Force PhilHealth recommending the filing of criminal complaint against several PhilHealth officials, including Morales; the findings of the Senate Committee of the Whole in connection with its investigation into the alleged irregularities inside PhilHealth; Duterte's decision to place Metro Manila under general community quarantine (GCQ) for September; and the signing into law of the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act.

Also among the issues were the issuance of Proclamation No. 1021 extending declaration of a state of calamity in the Philippines, the public backlash against the Manila Bay “white sand” beach project, the decision of the national government to order the closure of cemeteries, columbariums and memorial parks nationwide from  October 29 to November 4;  and the deportation of US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton after Duterte granted him absolute pardon in connection with the killing of Filipino transgender woman Jennifer Laude. —KBK, GMA News