OCTA poll: DepEd top performing, most trusted agency

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) has emerged as the top performing and most trusted national government agency in the third quarter survey conducted by the OCTA Research group.

Results of the non-commissioned survey conducted from Sept. 30 to Oct. 4 found that 80 percent of the respondents were satisfied with DepEd’s performance.

Only five percent said they were dissatisfied with the agency headed by Vice President Sara Duterte, while 16 percent were undecided.

Meanwhile, 79 percent said they trust the DepEd, while only three percent said they distrust it. The remaining 18 percent said they were undecided.

Following DepEd in terms of performance were the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) with 75 percent, Department of Public Works and Highways (DWPH) with 74 percent, Health (DOH) with 74 percent and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) with 73 percent.

In terms of trust, the education agency was followed by CHED and DPWH with 75 percent, DOH with 74 percent and DSWD with 73 percent.

The survey covered 17 other agencies under the executive branch of government.

Following CHED in terms of satisfaction were the Departments of Labor and Employment (DOLE), 62 percent; Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), 60 percent; the Interior and Local Government (DILG), 57 percent; Science and Technology (DOST), 54 percent; Tourism (DOT), 53 percent; Foreign Affairs (DFA), 53 percent; National Defense (DND), 52 percent; and Justice (DOJ), 52 percent.

Obtaining below majority satisfaction were the Departments of Transportation (DOTr), 49 percent; Energy (DOE), 49 percent; Agriculture (DA), 48 percent; Information and Communications Technology (DICT), 44 percent; Finance (DOF), 41 percent; Human Settlements and Urban Development (DSHUD), 38 percent; Trade and Industry (DTI), 36 percent; Migrant Workers (DMW), 36 percent; and Budget and Management (DBM), 32 percent.

Meanwhile, following DSWD in terms of trust were the DOLE (63 percent), DILG (62 percent), DENR (58 percent), DND (54 percent), DOST (53 percent), DOJ (51 percent), DFA (51 percent), DOE (51 percent), DA (50 percent) and DOTr (50 percent).

The following agencies obtained below majority trust ratings: DOT (49 percent), DOF (43 percent), DICT (42 percent), DSHUD (41 percent), DMW (38 percent), DBM (37 percent) and DTI (35 percent).

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

Meanwhile, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian is seeking to amend the 57-year-old Magna Carta for Public School Teachers to fulfill the rights and strengthen the privileges of public school teachers.

Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate committee on basic education, filed Senate Bill 2493, an act fulfilling the rights and strengthening the privileges of public school teachers under Republic Act 4670, otherwise known as the Magna carta for Public School Teachers.

He said SB 2493 seeks to amend RA 4670, which was signed into law on June 18, 1966.

He said the proposed amendments under this bill seek to address old and new challenges faced by public school teachers brought about by the volatility and complexity of the education sector. — Cecille Suerte Felipe