62% of Filipinos Expect a Happy Christmas

Three out of five (62%) adult Filipinos expect a happy Christmas this year, according to the Social Weather Survey of November 24-29, 2006.

The November 2006 Survey also found that, by a three-to-one ratio, more Filipinos say it is better to give than to receive gifts for Christmas.

Most are thankful for still being alive and for good health at the end of 2006.

Experience of hunger has some effect on the expectation of a happy Christmas.

Falling Happiness With Christmas
Expectations of a happy Christmas have trended downward from the high 82% recorded in 2002, when first surveyed by SWS. From 2003 to 2004, it went down by 13 points, from 77% to 64%. Last year there were also 62% expecting a happy Christmas.

Seven percent are anticipating a sad Christmas this year, similar to the 8% in 2005, but slightly lower than the 10% in 2004.

Twenty-nine percent are neither happy nor sad this Christmas, similar to the 28% in 2005.

Most thankful for good health, for being alive
Asked what are they most thankful for in their life now, most (41%) are thankful for “good health,” followed by 28% who are thankful for “being alive”. These were also the most popular responses in November 2003 when last surveyed – “buhay pa rin hanggang ngayon" or “still being alive” (36%) and “good health” (35%).

66% say “NO” to Cha-Cha; 73% did not know the nature of the Sigaw ng Bayan proposals

For the third consecutive quarter, two of every three Filipinos say they will vote “No” in a plebiscite on a new constitution “that President Arroyo wants,” according to the November 2006 Social Weather Survey.

The new SWS survey found the balance of opinion opposed to the critical proposals that: (1) the members of Parliament and the Prime Minister may be re-elected any number of times; (2) the interim Parliament will serve until the next election, but will also set the date of the election, and thus there is no limit to its term; and (3) the interim Parliament will make additional amendments or revisions to the Constitution within 45 days.

When asked if they had known that these proposals were part of the Sigaw ng Bayan’s “people’s initiative,” 73% said “No,” validating the Supreme Court’s conclusion that the public could not have known the nature of these crucial proposals, singled out by the Court.

Even those satisfied with GMA say “No” to Cha-Cha
Even among those satisfied with the performance of President Arroyo, the majority say that they disapprove of a new Constitution that she wants.

The “No” vote on Cha-Cha is 79% among those dissatisfied with the President, 57% among those neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, and 54% among those satisfied with her performance.

“No” dominates in all areas
Three-fourths (74%) in Metro Manila will vote “No” in a plebiscite for a new constitution, compared to 85% in September and 83% in June.

The new “No” vote in the rest of Luzon is 67%, compared to 68% in September and 64% in June.

In the Visayas the “No” vote is now 57%, from 56% in September and 60% in June.

In Mindanao the “No” vote is now 69%, from 65% in September and 68% in June.

Three-fourths are likely to vote in a plebiscite
As to their likelihood of voting in a plebiscite on charter change, 44% will surely vote, 29% will probably vote, 9% might be doing something else, and 15% will not be able to vote.

Seventy-eight percent in Mindanao, 72% in Luzon outside Metro Manila, 70% in the Visayas, and 67% in Metro Manila will surely/probably vote if a plebiscite were held today.

Opposition to specific proposals
Following up the Supreme Court’s ruling that the great majority of Sigaw ng Bayan’s signatories did not see the full text of the proposed changes before signing, and therefore could not have known the nature and effect of the proposed changes, the SWS survey asked for opinions about the three critical changes identified by the Court, without naming any proponent.

On allowing the members of the Parliament and the Prime Minister to be re-elected any number of times, the survey found that 37% disapprove, 26% are undecided, and 25% approve.

On allowing the interim Parliament to serve until the next election, and also to set the date of the election, thus putting no limit to its term, 43% disapprove, 26% are undecided, and 19% approve.

On allowing the interim Parliament to make further amendments or revisions to the Constitution within 45 days, the survey found that 34% disapprove, 29% are undecided, and 25% approve.

Failure to identify the proposals with Sigaw ng Bayan
In all areas, most people were unaware that the three proposals were part of Sigaw ng Bayan’s “people’s initiative.”

Seventy-six percent in the rest of Luzon, 74% in Mindanao, 69% in the Visayas and 68% in Metro Manila came to know who was the proponent only when polled.

In all socio-economic classes, most had been unaware of Sigaw as the proponent: 76% in class D, 71% in class E, and 60% in class ABC.

71% of Filipinos are Aware of Standard Economic Statistics; 48% Say They are Believable

Seven out of ten (71%) Filipinos are familiar with some of the standard economic statistics regularly reported to the public, according to the latest Third Quarter 2006 Social Weather Survey.

Two-thirds (69%) are aware of the rate of inflation, over half (55%) are aware of the rate of unemployment, and one-third (31%) are aware of the Gross National Product (GNP).

Twenty nine percent say they have not read or heard about any of these economic statistics.

The new survey, conducted from Sept. 24 to Oct. 2, 2006, also found that half (48%) consider these economic statistics as believable (kapanipaniwala).

However, a rise in GNP does not necessarily imply a general improvement in economic well-being. In particular, SWS surveys show that hunger has increased despite GNP growth in recent years (Mangahas, “The SWS Quarterly Surveys on Poverty and Hunger Show the Emptiness of GNP,” November 20, 2006).

Inflation is most recognized among the standard economic statistics
Four out of five (82%) adults in Luzon outside Metro Manila are aware of the rate of inflation, as are 71% in Visayas, 55% in Metro Manila, and 49% in Mindanao.

All socio-economic classes are well aware of the rate \nof inflation: 80% in class ABC, 69% in class D, and 64% in class E.

The unemployment rate is known to 66% in Luzon outside NCR, 54% in Visayas, 48% in Metro Manila, and 39% in Mindanao.

By socio-economic class, three out of five (62%) in class ABC are familiar with the unemployment rate, compared to 57% in class D, and 47% in class E.

Two out of five (41%) in Balance Luzon are familiar with GNP, compared to 28% in Metro Manila, 27% in Visayas, and 19% in Mindanao.

Forty percent in class ABC, 32% in class D, and 26% in class E are aware of GNP.

48% call the economic statistics believable
About half (48%) consider these economic statistics believable, consisting of 22% saying they are “very believable”, and 26% saying they are “somewhat believable”.

Thirteen percent are unsure, while 11% consider these economic statistics as “unbelievable”.

Majority (57%) in Luzon outside Metro Manila, and half (50%) in Visayas, consider the economic statistics as believable. Thirty six percent in both Mindanao and Metro Manila share this opinion.

Half (52%) of class ABC, and 48% in both class D and class E call the economic statistics believable.

Survey Background
The Social Weather Survey of September 2006 used face-to-face interviews of a national sample of 1,200 statistically representative households (300 each in Metro Manila, the Balance of Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao), from 240 geographical spots selected from all regions. Error margins of ±3% for national percentages and ±6% for regional percentages should be applied.

The survey items described in this release were initiated by Dr. Jose Ramon Albert, SWS Fellow and past President of the Philippine Statistical Association.

General Vote on Cha-Cha still 67% “NO”

Majority (67%) of Filipinos would still vote “No” if a plebiscite to approve a proposed new constitution were held today, unchanged since the previous quarter, according to the Third Quarter 2006 Social Weather Survey.

The Sept. 24 to Oct. 2 survey also found stronger opposition to proposed constitutional amendments to allow President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to become head of government even after 2010; create a unicameral legislature; extend the term limits of officials from 2007 to 2010 and hold schedule elections in 2010; let legislators elect the head of government; and lessen restrictions on foreign participation in the economy.

“No” votes remain dominant in all areas
A solid majority of 85% in Metro Manila will vote “No” in a plebiscite for a new constitution, similar to 83% recorded in the previous quarter.

The “No” vote is 68% in the rest of Luzon, 65% in Mindanao and 56% in the Visayas.
Four out of five (80%) of class ABC, 70% of class E and 64% of class D will also vote “No” if a plebiscite to approve a proposed new constitution were held today.

Opposition to specific amendment intensifies
Seven out of ten (69%) reject the idea of allowing President Arroyo to become head of government even after 2010, up from 44% recorded in March 2006.

Half (51%) oppose the idea of having only one chamber of Parliament elected in each district and from Party-list, up from 38% in March, implying that most Filipinos would rather continue having a Senate.

Majority (68%), compared to 50% in March, reject the idea of holding the next elections in 2010 and extending the terms of all officials.

Opposition to the idea of letting the head of government be elected by legislators instead of directly by voters likewise increased from 56% in March to 65% in September.

Two out of five (43%), compared to 25% in March, oppose lessening restrictions on foreign participation in the economy.

Survey Background
The Social Weather Surveys referred to in this release used face-to-face interviews of a national sample of 1,200 statistically representative households (300 each in Metro Manila, the Balance of Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao), from 240 geographical spots selected from all regions. Error margins of ±3% for national percentages and ±6% for regional percentages should be applied.

Ituloy AngSulong kontra sa madaliang charter change!

51% of Pinoys are poor or mahirap

The record high 16.9% of families experiencing hunger at least once in the past three months was reached again in September 2006, according to the new SWS survey.

This amounts to 2.9 million households experiencing hunger out of a projected base of 17.4 million households in the country.