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Filipinos Less Upbeat with Economy, Survey Says

The July 2004 IBON survey results, released to the press this week, showed the number of Filipinos who feel that the economy and their livelihood improved went down from the last survey. Of the 1,681 respondents, only 5.41 percent said that the economy improved - down by 2.29 percent from last April’s 7.70 percent.

A new government usually ushers in new hope for the economy, but the latest IBON survey shows that Filipinos are less optimistic.

The July 2004 IBON survey results, released to the press this week, showed the number of Filipinos who feel that the economy and their livelihood improved went down from the last survey.

Of the 1,681 respondents, only 5.41 percent said that the economy improved - down by 2.29 percent from last April’s 7.70 percent.

Majority of the respondents (46.94 percent) felt that the economy worsened this year, while 41.94 percent said that the economy stayed the same.

Most Filipinos are also uncertain of what the economy will bring this year. Majority of the respondents (35.75 percent) said they don’t know what will happen, while 30.28 percent said the economy will worsen. The number of respondents who said that it will improve dropped to 9.52 percent from 12.7 percent in April.

The number of respondents who said that their livelihood improved also went down to 7.70 percent from 12.3 percent. This number is even less than the February 2004 survey result of 8.87 percent.

Meanwhile, a big 59.37 percent said that their family income is not enough to meet their basic needs. The number of respondents who answered that their family income is enough fell to 36.41 percent from 40.50 percent in April.

Asked if there are jobs/livelihood opportunities in their area, 51 percentsaid these are available but are not enough. The number of respondents who said that there are available jobs dropped to 10.83 percent from 20.8 percent.

IBON research director Antonio Tujan Jr. noted that there was a slight improvement in the people’s perception of the economy before the elections. “But this was eroded due to the new government’s questionable mandate,” he said.

Because of this, he urged the new government to address the people’s pessimism by implementing a genuine pro-poor agenda.

“Unless government wants to risk more unrest and instability, it should immediately implement crucial economic and social reforms,” Tujan said.

The IBON July 2004 Survey was conducted nationwide from June 30 to July 9 to find out the people’s perception of the economy, their income and livelihood, government performance, choice of president, vice president, senators, and other pressing issues.

The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus two percent.

Below is the tabulation of the survey results on the respondents’ perception on the last elections.

	July 2004	April 2004	February 2004
What can you say about our economy this year compared with last year?
Improved	5.41	7.70	6.31
Same	41.94	37.50	46.08
Worsened	46.94	48.90	42.74
Don't know	5.71	5.90	4.87

How was your livelihood this year compared with last year?
Improved	7.79	12.30	8.97
Same	51.46	47.20	50.57
Worsened	38.37	38.20	37.19
Don't know	2.38	2.40	3.27

Is your family income enough to meet your basic needs?
More than enough	1.13	1.00	0.84
Enough	36.41	40.50	35.74
Not enough	59.37	55.90	60.61
Don't know	3.09	2.50	2.81

Are there jobs/livelihood opportunities in your area?
There are	10.83	20.80	16.65
There are but not enough	51.10	43.10	47.6
None	34.27	32.50	29.73
Don't know	3.81	3.50	6.01

What do you think will happen to our economy this year?
Will improve	9.52	12.70	7.83
Will remain the same	24.45	24.30	33.46
Will worsen	30.28	17.80	23.88
Don't know	35.75	45.20	34.83