EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – FINDINGS OF 2021 PAHAYAG QUARTER 1 SURVEY : March 20-29, 2021
PAHAYAG-QUARTER 1 (PHG-Q1) is an independent and non-commissioned poll done by PUBLiCUS Asia Inc. covering the period of 20-29 March, 2021. It is a nationwide purposive sampling survey comprised of 1,500 respondents drawn from an online research panel of approximately 100,000 Filipino registered voters maintained by a Singapore-based firm.
There were nine modules included in the survey: state of the economy and economic prospects, COVID vaccine prioritization and openness to safety protocols, national issues, scorecard for national leaders and institutions, emotional quotient of incumbent and prospective leaders, media consumption habits and responses to media campaigns, predisposition, blended learning and new normal consumption habits
- STATE OF THE ECONOMY AND ECONOMIC PROSPECTS
- Overall optimism appears to have decreased over the past several months. This can be attributed to rising food and gas prices as well as growing fears over COVID and the return of stricter lockdowns.
- COVID VACCINE PRIORITIZATION AND OPENNESS TO SAFETY PROTOCOLS
- Majority of respondents remain supportive of the continuation of existing health and safety protocols. Moreover, the majority of respondents indicated that they will either likely accept or surely accept vaccines from the government.
- The most common reasons behind indecision over buying vaccines are: fear of side effects, insufficient money to buy vaccines, waiting/hoping for free vaccines.
- Most respondents showed a preference for Western made vaccines over Chinese made vaccines.
- NATIONAL ISSUES
- Overall belief in the strength of the country amidst the pandemic appears to have waned slightly over the past several months. This can be attributed mostly to the sharp increase in COVID cases in recent months, the reinstatement of stricter health protocols, and increased economic insecurity (e.g. high unemployment and rising prices).
- The top concerns for respondents include the economy, COVID vaccine, and jobs. These garnered the highest shares for the Top 3 concerns.
- SCORECARD FOR NATIONAL LEADERS AND INSTITUTIONS
- Approval and Trust Ratings for the Top Officials
President Duterte registered the highest total approval rating at ~65%. President Duterte, VP Robredo, SP Sotto, and Speaker Velasco all registered decreases in total approval and increases in total disapproval over the past several months.
President Duterte registered the highest high trust rating at ~55%. President Duterte, VP Robredo, SP Sotto, and Speaker Velasco all registered decreases in total high trust and increases in total low trust over the past several months.
- Approval and Trust Ratings Among Senators
Senator Pacquiao registered the highest total approval rating among incumbent senators at ~66%. Senator Go and Senator Poe trail behind with both hovering around 48%. Senators Villar, Revilla, and De Lima remain the most unpopular with total disapproval ratings ranging from 47% (Villar) to 67% (De Lima).
Senator Pacquiao registered the highest high trust rating among incumbent senators at ~53%. Senator Go and Senator Poe trail behind with both hovering around 35%. Senators Villar, Revilla, and De Lima remain the least trusted senators with total low trust ratings ranging from 52% (Villar) to 73% (De Lima).
- EMOTIONAL QUOTIENT OF INCUMBENT AND PROSPECTIVE LEADERS
President Duterte is viewed by many as brave. Moreover, he notched the highest shares for most of the positive traits mentioned. These include: (1) Love for the Philippines, (2) Concern for Filipinos, (3) Responsibility, (4) Pro poor, and (5) Sincerity.
- MEDIA CONSUMPTION HABITS AND RESPONSES TO MEDIA CAMPAIGNS
- Social media news and television news again garnered the highest high usage rates. Radio news and broadsheet news lag far behind in terms of usage rates.
- Overall usage rates for Facebook and YouTube can be viewed to be near universal. These platforms also have extremely high average usage rates.
- CNN, GMA7, and the Philippine Daily Inquirer garnered the highest total high trust ratings. Opinions on the trustworthiness of ABS-CBN appear to be split.
- PREDISPOSITION
The top five choices for president remain unchanged from the PAHAYAG-EOY survey (December 3-9, 2020). They are again: Sara Duterte, Isko Domagoso, Bongbong Marcos, Manny Pacquiao, and Leni Robredo. Given the numbers at present, no frontrunner can be readily identified.
- Among the top choices for vice president are: Isko Domagoso, Sara Duterte, Manny Pacquiao, and Bong Go. Given the numbers at present, no frontrunner can be readily identified.
- The top twelve choices for senator include Isko Domagoso, Manny Pacquiao, Willie Ong, Francis Escudero, Lucy Torres-Gomez, Sarah Duterte, Risa Hontiveros, Bongbong Marcos, Joel Villanueva, Sherwin Gatchalian, Vilma Santos, and Loren Legarda. A total of 68 names were in list.
- BLENDED LEARNING
- Weak/spotty internet connection remains a sticking point for many households with learners in the blended learning environment. The other top concerns of households with students include: Lack of focus during virtual lectures, Lack of materials, and Lack of interaction with teachers/classmates.
- Most respondents indicated that they would want their learners to be in school at least half of the school week.
- Most respondents indicated that the academic performance of their learners improved over the pandemic. The rates of improvement, however, appear to be slightly lower for students in elementary
- Supervision rates are high across all school levels among respondents – with most respondents indicating that their learners are supervised daily.
- NEW NORMAL CONSUMPTION HABITS
- Engagement rates of the following increased substantially post pandemic: Online Shopping, Courier Services, and Food Delivery Services. In contrast, the frequency of engaging in the following decreased substantially post pandemic: Going to Malls, Dining in at fast foods and restaurants, Travelling to other provinces (~72%), and Grocery shopping.
- Only 3% of respondents indicated that they do not engage in online shopping.
- The most commonly used online shopping platforms are: Shopee and Lazada. The most commonly used payment options are: Cash on delivery and GCash.
