Pinoys’ optimism rising – SWS; but more needs to be done – Palace

MORE Filipinos believe that the quality of their lives will improve in the next 12 months, according to the Social Weather Stations (SWS).

Pinoys remain optimistic. Sa walang sablay (Sws)! But Malacañang said that more needs to be done, such as implementing “institutional changes.”

Hurry, strike while the iron is hot and before the wind changes direction. The SWS reported that based on its second-quarter survey (June 23-26, with 1,200 respondents), 44 percent of Filipinos see improvement in their quality of lives in the next 12 months, while 4 percent said it could worsen.

Net optimism stands at “excellent” +40. SWS explained that this is higher than the +36 or “very good” rating recorded in the first quarter of 2017, owing to the increase in optimism in all geographic areas, as follows: Luzon (+42 in June from +37 in March), Metro Manila (+46 from +43), Mindanao (+37 from +32), and Visayas (+36 from +32).

#Optimism is “trending,” social media lovers would say. In terms of socio-economic groups, net personal optimism rose among the class D or “masa” from +38 in March to +41 in June; from +29 to +37 among the poorest class E; and from +37 to +39 among upper-to-middle-class ABC.

A general increase in optimism, regardless of the economic status. SWS added the same survey showed that 39 percent of Filipinos are optimistic that the Philippine economy will improve in the next 12 months, while 12 percent believe it will worsen.

A net economic optimism of +27. Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said Malacañang welcomes the results of the survey.

“We have made significant strides in the first year to ensure the inclusion of the marginalized and disadvantaged sectors, which form part of our objective to reduce overall poverty rate from 21.6 percent in 2015 to 14 percent by 2022, as per our Philippine Development Plan,” he said. Abella cited government’s programs such as free medicine to indigents, free education to public school college students, free irrigation to farmers, free public Internet access, higher pension for seniors, increased combat duty pay and combat incentive pay for soldiers and policemen, additional rice subsidy for Conditional Cash Transfer recipients, microfinancing system, higher employment compensation funeral benefits, and strengthening of the anti-hospital deposit law.

He added President Duterte just signed the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, the Free Internet Access Program, and the bill which strengthens the Anti-Hospital Deposit Law by increasing the penalties for the refusal of hospitals and medical clinics to administer appropriate medical treatment and support in emergency or serious cases. Abella cited that the government has certified as urgent a comprehensive tax reform package to boost the economy and accelerate infrastructure development while raising spending for the poor.

“This would lay down a strong foundation for inclusive and sustainable growth to enable our people to achieve their aspiration of a ‘matatag, maginhawa, at panatagnabuhay,’” he said. “However, much more needs to be done, such as implementing institutional changes,” Abella acknowledged.

Yes to more changes! Yes to progress!