EDITORIAL - A public reminder

It seems the honeymoon is over. The latest survey says President Rodrigo Duterte's trust and performance ratings have decreased nine months following his resounding victory in the May 2016 general elections.

The survey results, which Pulse Asia released last Wednesday, saw Duterte's performance rating down to 78 percent in March from 83 percent in December last year. His trust rating dipped to 76 percent last month from 83 percent in December.

Perhaps, the main reason why the president's ratings have started to dip was his failure to kick-start the economic engine in the months following his election. There seems to be public disappointment because of his administration's lack of a clear policy that aims to revitalize the economy by implementing programs that entice more investments.

Since his first day in office, Duterte was so preoccupied with his campaign against the illegal drug trade – whose death toll across the country has now exceeded 7,000 – that he seemed to forget that there are other things that he should also attend to.

Yes, majority of Filipinos have supported his intensified war on drugs since it greatly helps in the drive to maintain the peace and order. However, there are other things that the president should also prioritize.

Urgent programs that would generate more employment, draw more foreign investments and develop the country's infrastructure system should also have been included in the administration's priority list.

Of course, Duterte should not be alarmed by the results of the survey. They were just a message for him from the public that he needs to be aware of the fact that there are other things to do than the drive against the illegal drug trade.

While the public may now feel safer as a result of the heightened peace and order drive, the Duterte administration should take the results of the survey as a reminder that there are other pressing matters that need his serious attention.