Palace upbeat over SWS poll indicating rise in optimism among Filipinos
Malacanang attributed the surge of Filipinos’ optimism that their lives would become better in the next 12 months to the improved fiscal situation and policies implemented by the Aquino administration, a Palace official said on Monday.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda issued the statement following the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showing that optimism among Filipinos on their prospect for the economy has risen. The SWS poll that was conducted from June 3-6 found 36% of the respondents are expecting their lives would improve in the next 12 months.
“This latest snapshot of public opinion shows that government and the people are as one, in their positive attitude: based on the improved fiscal situation and policies conducive to inclusive growth of the administration. This is a recognition by domestic public opinion that parallels the recognition of improvements in governance and the economy by foreign institutions, whether in terms of the four upgrades given to the government by ratings agencies, or the latest good news on the competitiveness ranking of the Philippines jumping a truly remarkable 10 points in the span of one year,” he said.
Lacierda said, “Whether in terms of the SWS numbers last March (up 3 points), or compared to the previous year (up 2 points), optimism has gained when it comes to public opinion on the perceived direction of quality of life for the next 12 months.”
“Particularly noteworthy is the surge in optimism in Luzon (up 10 points) and among the ABC sectors of society (up 18 points, with an increase of 2 points for D and E unchanged),” he said.
“While still in positive territory, the drop of 5 and 3 points, respectively, for the Visayas and Mindanao suggests that once increased public spending and the opening of new investments take place, public opinion will become even more strongly positive,” Lacierda said.
He said, “What is most significant is that overall, nationally speaking, optimists at +36 outnumber pessimists at -9 at a ratio of 4:1. The Filipino people remain overwhelmingly bullish on their personal prospects for the coming 12 months.”
Lacierda said, “Public opinion on how the economy compares to last year has also gained 10 points from the last SWS survey in March. Again, with +29 versus -16, positive public opinion is strongly in positive territory. Particularly big increases were registered in Luzon (an increase of 18 points) with increases in the Visayas (+7 points) and Mindanao (+2 points). The ABC (+11) and D (+13) sectors also registered big increases in those who believe the economy has improved since last year.”
Lacierda said the administration believes that its commitment to transparency and accountability, to policies that are geared toward efficiency and inclusiveness, is not only being
recognized, but actively supported, by our countrymen.
“The naysaying, apathy, and discouraged attitudes of the past are giving way to a can-do attitude in the public and private sectors, as we continue to unite to make our country more competitive, and achieve growth, stability, and peace despite the many turbulent events in the global economy.(PCOO)
Malacanang attributed the surge of Filipinos’ optimism that their lives would become better in the next 12 months to the improved fiscal situation and policies implemented by the Aquino administration, a Palace official said on Monday.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda issued the statement following the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showing that optimism among Filipinos on their prospect for the economy has risen. The SWS poll that was conducted from June 3-6 found 36% of the respondents are expecting their lives would improve in the next 12 months.
“This latest snapshot of public opinion shows that government and the people are as one, in their positive attitude: based on the improved fiscal situation and policies conducive to inclusive growth of the administration. This is a recognition by domestic public opinion that parallels the recognition of improvements in governance and the economy by foreign institutions, whether in terms of the four upgrades given to the government by ratings agencies, or the latest good news on the competitiveness ranking of the Philippines jumping a truly remarkable 10 points in the span of one year,” he said.
Lacierda said, “Whether in terms of the SWS numbers last March (up 3 points), or compared to the previous year (up 2 points), optimism has gained when it comes to public opinion on the perceived direction of quality of life for the next 12 months.”
“Particularly noteworthy is the surge in optimism in Luzon (up 10 points) and among the ABC sectors of society (up 18 points, with an increase of 2 points for D and E unchanged),” he said.
“While still in positive territory, the drop of 5 and 3 points, respectively, for the Visayas and Mindanao suggests that once increased public spending and the opening of new investments take place, public opinion will become even more strongly positive,” Lacierda said.
He said, “What is most significant is that overall, nationally speaking, optimists at +36 outnumber pessimists at -9 at a ratio of 4:1. The Filipino people remain overwhelmingly bullish on their personal prospects for the coming 12 months.”
Lacierda said, “Public opinion on how the economy compares to last year has also gained 10 points from the last SWS survey in March. Again, with +29 versus -16, positive public opinion is strongly in positive territory. Particularly big increases were registered in Luzon (an increase of 18 points) with increases in the Visayas (+7 points) and Mindanao (+2 points). The ABC (+11) and D (+13) sectors also registered big increases in those who believe the economy has improved since last year.”
Lacierda said the administration believes that its commitment to transparency and accountability, to policies that are geared toward efficiency and inclusiveness, is not only being
recognized, but actively supported, by our countrymen.
“The naysaying, apathy, and discouraged attitudes of the past are giving way to a can-do attitude in the public and private sectors, as we continue to unite to make our country more competitive, and achieve growth, stability, and peace despite the many turbulent events in the global economy.(PCOO)
Aquino receives outgoing Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran
President Benigno S. Aquino III shared a common sentiment with outgoing Iranian envoy on further strengthening the decades-old diplomatic relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Philippines as the latter paid his farewell call to the President, Monday morning.
During the event held at the Music Room of the Palace, Iranian Ambassador to the Philippines Ali Mojtaba Rouzbehani expressed confidence on the “good standing” of ties between the two countries.
“As far as Tehran (Iran) is concerned, there is no barrier to expanding relations between the Philippines and Iran,” Ambassador Rouzbehani said.
Also in attendance were Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Mr. Seyed Abdulrasool Shabibi, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Iran and Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Petronila Garcia of the Office of Middle East and African Affairs.
Garcia said that the forthcoming anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries was brought up by Ambassador Rouzbehani with President Aquino.
“He (Rouzbehani) also gave the best wishes and greetings of the Iranian president to President Aquino,” Garcia continued, adding that the Chief Executive, inturn, thanked the Iranian government for its support especially on the export of some of the produce of the country.
“Thirty per cent of bananas produced in the country are being exported to Iran annually and the President expressed thanks about that,” Garcia said.
Records show that in the year 2010, the economic trade between the Philippine and Iran costs a total of 169.77 million dollars, 59.52 million dollars export from the country while 110.25 million dollars for the imports, a balance trade of 50.73 million dollars.
There are more than 800 Filipinos living in Iran who are mostly doctors, engineers, dentists and professionals while 7,000 Iranians are presently in the country, 2,000 were Filipino-Iranian families and 4,500 are students.(PCOO)
Malacañang welcomes US envoy's citation of the country's fight against terror
Malacanang welcomed on Monday the remarks of US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas, Jr. who lauded on Sunday the “good job” the Philippines was doing in its fight against terror.
“The Philippine government is doing a good job in fighting terrorism a decade after the tragic "9/11" terror attacks by Islamic extremists in the United States on Sept. 11, 2001,” Thomas Jr. said in an interview.
Thomas cited in particular the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines which, under the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III, have been making significant headway in its quest to stem terrorist threats in the country.
Because of these efforts, Thomas has recommended to the US State Department the lifting of the travel ban to Mindanao.
Thomas made the announcement during the opening of the 20th Mindanao Business Conference in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur last week.
“I’m quite content. It’s a robust effort… As long as we remain vigilant, as long as you are doing everything you can to keep people safe, then you're doing a good job," Thomas said.
In a press briefing in Malacanang this afternoon, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the government welcomed Thomas’ remarks.
“We appreciate those remarks and certainly it is a recognition of our efforts to fight not just terrorism (but) human trafficking as evidenced by the removal of the Philippines from the watch list and its subsequent upgrade in status,” she said.(PCOO)
