More than half of agencies get businessmen's approval

MANILA, Philippines - Forty-three of 62 government agencies have received positive net satisfaction ratings from 65 senior business executives in the Second Semester 2014 Executive Outlook Survey conducted by the Makati Business Club (MBC) from July 1 to July 25 this year.

The MBC said the survey results reflect the performances of the government agencies in the fourth year of the Aquino administration.

The Second Semester 2014 MBC Executive Outlook Survey was administered via fax and online among MBC members.

During the survey period, the Supreme Court announced its decision on the Disbursement Acceleration Program, which the government has since appealed; investigations on rice smuggling and hoarding began; the government peace panel met with MILF leaders in Kuala Lumpur over the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law; and typhoon Glenda crossed over Luzon, resulting in power outages and rotating brownouts.

The 65 senior business executives who participated in the survey represent 8.8 percent of 736 individual MBC members.

According to the MBC, the top 10 agencies which received positive net satisfaction ratings are the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Department of Tourism, Philippine Economic Zone Authority, Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-PAGASA), the Securities and Exchange Commission, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Health, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), Department of Finance, and the Philippine Statistics Authority.

MBC executive director Peter Perfecto said the BSP remains the top government agency in the MBC survey on account of its role in helping maintain macroeconomic and financial stability in the business environment that supports sustained growth necessary for inclusive development.

Perfecto however noted that the DOST-PAGASA, OPAPP, and the newly-organized Philippine Statistics Authority have made surprisingly impressive debuts in the business scorecard of government performance for the improvement in disseminating accurate weather forecasts, the successful signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, and in the continuing effort to make the country’s statistical system more accurate and efficient.

Also appearing in the MBC survey for the first time are PhilHealth, which took the 12th spot, as well as the Pag-IBIG Fund and the SSS that were both tied at the 15th spot.

Meanwhile, 19 government agencies and institutions have received negative net satisfaction scores in the survey, with the Senate, House of Representatives, Department of Agriculture, the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery, the lower court system, the Philippine National Police, Department of Transportation and Communications, Bureau of Customs, Department of Energy, and the Commission on Appointments landing at the bottom 10.

Compared to the 2012 MBC survey, 14 agencies have gained better rankings from senior business executives. These agencies are led by the Supreme Court, Department of Public Works and Highways, Commission on Audit, Commission on Elections, and the Civil Service Commission. Except for DPWH, the four most improved agencies are constitutional offices.

Meanwhile, 31 government agencies have declined in the perception of MBC members since July 2012.  The offices that have suffered the largest drops in net satisfaction ranking are the: the Senate, Department of Budget and Management, Department of Agriculture, Department of Energy, Office of the Vice President, House of Representatives, Bureau of Internal Revenue, and Office of the President.