Executive Summary – Findings of PAHAYAG VisMin Poll
THE COUNTRY (STATE OF THE NATION)
Satisfaction with the Direction of the Country
The majority of respondents indicated that they are NOT SURE (56.65%) about the current direction of the country. A large proportion of respondents, however, indicated that they are HAPPY (38.90%) with its current direction. Only a small fraction of respondents are SAD (4.45%). Satisfaction with the direction of the country is especially high in Caraga.
Evaluation of the National Economy
The bulk of respondents are more or less evenly split between perceiving the economy to be IMPROVING and STAGNANT. Only a tiny fraction of respondents indicated that the economy is WORSENING. Again, Caraga registered a high optimism level on the national economy’s current status.
Awareness Ratings
a. Top 5 Government Officials
Among the top 5 government officials, only Chief Justice Lucas P. Bersamin registered a level of awareness that is not universal. President Rodrigo Duterte has high awareness ratings in all regions. Respondents from Western Visayas and SOCCSKSARGEN are relatively less aware of Vice President Leni Robredo and Senate President Tito Sotto. House Speaker Alan Cayetano also notched relatively lower awareness in Western Visayas.
b. International/Regional Organizations
While roughly eight out of ten respondents (82.1%) are aware of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), only six out of ten (64%) are aware of the United Nations (UN). Meanwhile, only 28.7% of respondents are aware of the European Union (EU).
c. Countries
The United States, China, and Japan are among the most discussed countries in VisMin. Japan had lower levels of awareness than the U.S. and China in Visayas but shared universal awareness with the two countries in Mindanao. Awareness of the lesser-known countries were also higher in Mindanao than Visayas.
Assessment of Countries
The majority of respondents view the United States (77.05%) and Japan (57.6%) as positive forces to drive Philippine economy’s growth. Meanwhile, less than half of respondents (45.35%) view China as a positive force, with about an equal proportion uncertain and viewing China as a negative force on the economy.
Importance to Philippine Economic Growth
More than half of respondents (52.85%) chose the United States as Philippines’ most important country to drive Philippine economic growth. Overall, an overwhelming 85.45% of respondents indicated that the U.S. is a significant partner for Philippine economy.
Japan was identified as the second most important country to Philippine economic growth. More than one-quarter of respondents (26.25%) chose Japan as the most important country, and almost three-quarters (73.7%) said it was important.
China ranked third most important country, with 12.35% of respondents choosing it as the most important country and another 15.90% indicating it as a very important country for Philippine economic growth. However, almost half of respondents (48.60%) did not choose it as an important country. Countries other than these three registered much lower levels of importance.
Countries that Most Care About Philippines
The United States, China, and Japan are the top three chosen countries in terms of care for the Philippines – with the U.S. taking approximately half of positive responses. It is of note, however, that perceptions on China are polarized – with over half indicating that China is the country’s biggest threat and opponent.
Agreement on Philippine Foreign Policy
Almost half of respondents (47.75%) indicated that they agree with the foreign policy of the incumbent administration. More than one-fourth of respondents (27.75%) disagree with the foreign policy of the administration.
