Palace: 'Good' rating for Cabinet shows public appreciates efforts vs inflation

MANILA, Philippines — The Social Weather Stations poll suggesting that the Cabinet's net satisfaction rating improved in the third quarter showed that Filipinos appreciate the government's efforts to address the rising prices of goods, Malacañang said Sunday.

The SWS survey conducted from September 15 to 23, found 48 percent of respondents satisfied and 16 percent dissatisfied with the Cabinet for a net satisfaction rating of +32. 

SWS counts a rating of +30 to +49 as "good."

It was an improvement from the Cabinet's +25 (43 percent satisfied, 18 percent dissatisfied) net satisfaction rating recorded in June. 

The Senate posted a net satisfaction rating of +48 in the third quarter while the House of Representatives and the Supreme Court got +36 and +31, respectively. 

'People appreciate efforts to stabilize prices'

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo welcomed the poll result and attributed it to the Duterte administration's measures to rein in inflation. 

"Since the survey was conducted during the month of September when inflation was at 6.7 percent, the findings tell us that our people, indeed, recognize and appreciate the efforts of the administration in stabilizing the prices of basic commodities and bringing a comfortable and dignified life for all," Panelo said in a statement. 

"Notwithstanding the favorable survey numbers, the members of the official family of the president will not grow complacent in addressing national issues but will continue to work tirelessly as we lay down the foundation of a stronger and more robust society," he added. 

To counter the impact of inflation, President Rodrigo Duterte has issued an administrative order removing non-tariff barriers to agricultural imports and a memorandum directing agencies to reduce the gap between farm gate and retail prices of agriculture products.

The president has also certified as urgent the passage of the rice tariffication bill, which aims to lift the quantitative restriction on rice and replace it with a tariff.  

Fuel excise tax increase suspended

Economic managers have also approved the suspension of the next round of increase in the excise tax on oil which is supposed to take effect in January. 

Under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law, the next oil excise tax hike may be suspended if the average price of Dubai crude based on Mean of Platts Singapore reaches or exceeds $80 per barrel for three consecutive months. Officials have said the suspension was announced early to prevent hoarding and profiteering and to manage inflation expectations.

Critics have assailed the Duterte administration for pushing for the passage of TRAIN, saying the higher taxes on oil products are burdensome to consumers. Officials have claimed the higher prices were caused mainly by higher global oil prices and a weak peso.