The truth is in the numbers

Even as Philippine President Gloria Arroyo continuously harps about a robust economy, 86 per cent of Filipinos believe that the economy is "worse now" than in 2005, while 75 per cent say their personal quality of life worsened over a one-year period, amid skyrocketing oil prices and record inflation, an independent survey showed.

Pulse Asia Inc, a public opinion polling body in the Philippines, asked 1,200 respondents nationwide to describe the state of the economy now, compared to how it was in 2005, and 86 per cent said it was "worse now," 10 per cent said it was the "same," while four per cent said it was "better now."

In its March survey, 66 per cent said the economy was "worse now" compared to three years ago, 23 per cent said it was the "same," while 11 per cent said it was "better now."

"Despite claims of economic growth by the national administration, 86 per cent of Filipinos say the national economy has worsened in the last three years — a view articulated by big to overwhelming majorities (76 per cent to 93 per cent) across all geographic areas and socio-economic classes," Pulse Asia said.

The study, conducted from July 1 to 14, showed that 75 per cent of Filipinos think their personal quality of life grew "worse" compared to last year, while 84 per cent said the national quality of life has worsened.

The figures showed an increase from the 59 per cent who saw their personal quality of life, and the 71 per cent who saw the national quality of life grow "worse" over a one-year-period during the last survey in March, Pulse Asia said.

Moreover, Filipinos were growing "pessimistic" with 64 per cent, saying that they expect their personal quality of life to be "worse" next year, and 79 per cent saying that they see the national quality of life worsening next year, it said.

The figures also showed an increase in pessimism from the March survey, wherein 37 per cent said they expected their personal quality of life to grow worse, and 52 per cent said they expected the national quality of life to worsen.

Asked to describe their personal quality of life, compared to the same period last year, 75 per cent said they were "worse now," 17 per cent said they were "same as then," while only seven per cent said they were "better now," Pulse Asia said.

Asked how they viewed the national quality of life compared to last year, 84 per cent said the nation was "worse now," 12 per cent said it was "same as then," while three per cent said it was "better now," it said.

Pulse Asia said there was "hardly any movement" in the percentage of respondents who considered their personal and national quality of life as "better now" than last year.

Figures showed that the percentage of respondents who considered the quality of life as "same as then", decreased, as the number of those who saw the quality of life grow "worse" increased.