FOR those in government, specifically officials at the very top of the political totem pole, the latest survey conducted by OCTA Research should serve as an eye opener.
Results of the OCTA survey taken on July 22 to 26 validate a prevailing sentiment — that more and more Filipinos are turning from optimism to pessimism with regard to the economy, particularly those in the Visayas where poverty is rampant.
The poll found out that 46 percent of the respondents believed that the economy would be better in six months. Some 43 percent said it would remain the same, while 6 percent said it would worsen. Another 6 percent said they do not know.
Compared to a similar survey conducted in March, optimism in the economy dropped by four points from 50 percent. Pessimism stayed at 6 percent. In October 2022, those who believed that the economy would improve was also at 46 percent, while those who said it would worsen was at 10 percent.
‘… if the true sentiments of the people are collated and validated by reliable survey firms and the results furnished the President and his Cabinet, future policies will be more people oriented and socially conscious.’
Based on the latest survey, optimism with the economy was highest among those who live in balance Luzon at 54 percent (from 47 percent), followed by those in Metro Manila at 44 percent (from 46 percent), Mindanao at 42 percent (from 43 percent) and the Visayas at 31 percent (from 69 percent).
Pessimism on the economy was highest among those in the Visayas at 11 percent (from 3 percent), followed by those in Metro Manila at 9 percent (from 7 percent), Mindanao at 8 percent (from 11 percent) and rest of Luzon at 2 percent (from 5 percent).
Numbers are a good indication of mass sentiment, and better if results are compared with those taken some months back. Good and truthful survey research may be used to assess thoughts, opinions, and feelings of respondents. An extensive one will have the added advantage of sampling a larger population and thus will wield a greater statistical power.
Surveys, too, are efficient validation tools in knowing the real score in mass acceptance or rejection of national government policies, particularly those which relate to food, peace and order, income and jobs.
For instance, we should be able to ascertain soon how the Filipino people feel about the imposition of a price ceiling on rice — P41 per kilo for regular and P45 per kilo for well-milled rice. Controversial policies like this that will surely have a deep and extensive impact on all Filipinos should be assessed as to their acceptability with the masses.
Akin to this issue of rice price cap is President Marcos’ campaign promise to bring down the price of rice to P20 per kilo, which was improbable when he first broached the idea and now, almost impossible, considering the high prices of rice in the international market. This item should also be asked by social researchers of prestigious survey firms.
We are confident that if the true sentiments of the people are collated and validated by reliable survey firms and the results furnished the President and his Cabinet, future policies will be more people oriented and socially conscious.
