7 out of 10 Pinoys hopeful Cha-cha will create jobs: poll

FILE: Passengers queue up for bus and jeepney rides along Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City on Monday (Jan. 23, 2023). Commuters are constantly reminded to board or get off public utility vehicles only at designated loading and unloading bays. (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

By Filane Mikee Cervantes, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The majority of Filipinos are optimistic that the proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution will drive economic improvements, particularly in job creation, according to a recent survey by Tangere.

The survey, conducted from Oct. 14 to 16, showed that 73.5 percent of respondents believe the reforms will lead to more job opportunities, making it the most anticipated outcome.

Aside from job creation, other key economic expectations include lower prices for goods and services at 72 percent, higher economic growth at 71 percent, improved salaries and work benefits at 71 percent, and better job quality at 70 percent.

The survey found that 61.9 percent of Filipinos support the proposed constitutional amendments focusing on economic reforms.

Regional and demographic differences were observed, with stronger support in Northern and Central Luzon, while lower backing was noted in Mindanao and Metro Manila.

Younger respondents, particularly those aged 26 to 45, were more supportive of the proposed economic changes in the Constitution.

In terms of targeted reforms in the Constitution, 63 percent of respondents backed changes to Article XII, which governs foreign ownership of public utilities, while 60 percent supported the amendment of Article XVI on foreign investments in advertising.

Meanwhile, 52 percent favored the amendment of Article XIV, which pertains to the participation of foreign entities in higher education.

Around 35 percent of respondents feared the proposed constitutional amendments could worsen corruption, while 33 percent expressed concerns over increased competition from foreign businesses.

Around 30 percent of the respondents were worried that other national issues might be sidelined.

Tangere’s survey was conducted via a mobile-based respondent application, sampling 1,500 participants with a margin of error of +/- 2.50% at a 95 percent confidence level.

Tangere is a market research and public opinion polling company known for its mobile-based data gathering and analytics.

The company is a member of the Marketing and Opinion Research Society of the Philippines (MORES) and the Philippine Marketing Association (PMA).