Malacañang Welcomes Survey Results of Satisfaction Ratings of Aquino Admin

Manila (PNA) — The Palace on Tuesday welcomed the results of the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showing greater public satisfaction with President Benigno S. Aquino III’s administration.

In a statement, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the latest installment of findings from the Second Quarter 2015 SWS Survey showed that public satisfaction with the Aquino administration has improved from 48 percent last March to 55 percent, and that dissatisfaction has fallen from 29 percent to 24 percent.

“This welcome news comes a day after our country received a credit rating upgrade from the Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCRA), which has raised our rating from BBB- to BBB+ stable — the 22nd such positive rating action under the Aquino administration,” said Lacierda.

The Palace official said “another report which affirms the administration’s commitment to Daang Matuwid is a TIME magazine infographic based on a Gallup poll citing the Philippines as among the top places in the world where job optimism remains high.”

“Despite a relatively pessimistic international outlook on the job market, 65 percent of Filipino respondents believed that now is a good time to find a job. The creation of jobs and the expansion of opportunities have always been among the administration’s top priorities, cognizant that it is through such investments in the people that we will be able to build a truly inclusive nation,” he said.

“With less than one year left before the 2016 elections, the Aquino government is hard at work boosting our economy and maximizing our country’s potential and resources. The end goal is, of course, the advancement of the Filipino people, whose trust and optimism continue to inspire the administration to serve them better. Likewise, beyond 2016, it is the public who will ensure the continuity of Daang Matuwid, and make the right choice for the benefit of generations to come,” he added.

On the credit rating upgrade from the JCRA, Lacierda noted that under the Aquino administration, the country has received two previous credit rating upgrades from the agency — in April 2011 and May 2013.

He said the JCRA press release cited the Aquino administration’s “commitment to prudent fiscal management policy” as having improved the Philippines’ position.

“The figures speak for themselves: our central government debt-to-GDP (gross domestic product) ratio fell from 49.2 percent in 2013 to 45.4 percent at the end of 2014. Driven by strong domestic demand, the Philippine economy is projected to sustain a positive trajectory in terms of economic growth,” Lacierda said.

“The aim of building a truly progressive and inclusive nation has been at the center of the Aquino administration’s vision since 2010. Recent advances in health, education, job creation, and infrastructure — as well as positive news such as this — serve to affirm the strength of this commitment.”

“As the President has repeatedly said, all these investments are meant to benefit the Filipino people, our nation’s greatest resource. Along with characteristic optimism and diligence, it is the public’s continuing confidence in the government, which has made our country’s economic resurgence possible. Moving forward, the Aquino administration aims to pursue even greater heights for our country and bring about increased opportunities for all,” he added. (PNA) LGI/PND/SSC