Most Pinoys want stronger economic ties with US, Japan – poll

MANILA, Philippines — A majority of Filipinos want the Marcos administration to strengthen the country’s economic relations with the United States and Japan, a recent survey conducted by Pulse Asia showed.

The Sept. 10 to 14 survey, commissioned by Stratbase ADR Institute, asked the respondents to select from a list of up to three countries that they want the government to strengthen economic relations with.

The US topped the list with 74 percent of the respondents choosing it as among their three, followed by Japan with 55 percent.

It was followed by Australia with 46 percent; Canada, 40 percent; the European Union, 26 percent, and the United Kingdom with 21 percent.

Only 19 percent of respondents selected China as among the three countries with which they want the Philippines to have stronger economic relations. Four percent selected India.

The survey results were released during a forum on the Philippine manufacturing sector organized by Stratbase on Wednesday.

During the forum, Stratbase president Dindo Manhit agreed that the Philippines should strengthen its ties trading and investment partners such as the US and Japan.

“Investments are crucial to unlocking the Philippines’ economic potential. Partnering with these economic partners and focusing on sectors that present great opportunities boost our chances of attaining investment-led growth that will pave the way for a resilient, prosperous, and sustainable future for Filipinos,” he said.

“Pursuing a more investment-led growth with these traditional partners will help in generating better quality jobs and employment opportunities,” he added.

The same survey also asked the respondents whether or not they agree that the private sector plays an instrumental role in ensuring economic security.

Some 70 percent agreed with the statement, while only six percent disagreed. Twenty-four percent were ambivalent.

The respondents were also asked to select from a list up to three ways that they think the private sector can help in the attainment of economic security.

Some 64 percent said they can make goods more affordable and accessible to Filipino consumers, while 60 percent said the private sector can contribute to creating more jobs.

It was followed by expanding livelihood opportunities at 58 percent, improving health care services at 42 percent, improving quality and access to digital services at 28 percent, developing public infrastructure at 27 percent and developing the skills of Filipino workforce at 18 percent.

The survey had 1,200 respondents and a margin of error of plus/minus 2.8 percent.

French commitment

Meanwhile, the Philippines and France have reaffirmed their respective nations’ commitment to work with each other and enforce international law in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. met with French Ambassador Marie Fontanel on Tuesday to discuss such partnership, among other matters of common interest.

France has been among the countries that openly expressed its support for the Philippines amid the country’s problems with China in WPS. – Michael Punongbayan