Survey result shows Davao residents’ high level of support to President Duterte’s policies

The Institute for Popular Opinion (IPO) of the University of Mindanao (UM) (Pictured) here conducted a survey last December 3-10, 2016 to determine which of the policies, statements and declarations of the President gained approval among the Dabawenyos. (Photo: University Of Mindanao(Official Page)/ Facebook)

DAVAO CITY —A great majority of residents in Davao City approves the policies, statements and declarations of President Duterte, a survey conducted by one of the universities in the city revealed.

The Institute for Popular Opinion (IPO) of the University of Mindanao (UM) here conducted a survey last December 3-10, 2016 to determine which of the policies, statements and declarations of the President gained approval among the Dabawenyos.

A total of 1,200 respondents was involved in said survey.

IPO head Adrian Tamayo told reporters in a press conference at Habi at Kape in Abreeza Mall that President Duterte obtained 83 percent approval rating in the city, a figure that is comparable to the surveys conducted in the national level.

Tamayo said the President’s continuing war against illegal drugs got the biggest concurrence from the people of Davao City, where 99 percent of the respondents signified their approval.

President Duterte’s previous moves of announcing to the public the names of those involved in illegal drugs also got a high mark of 93 percent, the survey added.

The other highly approved policies of the President include the nationwide implementation of liquor ban (98 percent); anti smoking (97 percent); the end of contract or Endo (95 percent); birth control policy (94 percent); and the granting of amnesty to the New People’s Army (NPA) surrenderees (90 percent).

Dabawenyos also expressed support to the ongoing peace negotiations between the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) with 89 percent approval and the talks with the Bangsamoro with 85 percent.

The President’s advocacy for federalism, the opening of businesses to foreigners and the push for faster internet connection all got 88 percent approval from the people of Davao City.

But there were pronouncements made by the President to which the people in the city indicated high disapproval – these include the extending a hand of peace with the Maute group (36 percent) and the President’s apology for burying the late President Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (74 percent).

Tamayo said the high disapproval on the possible peace talks with the Maute group is influenced by the fact that some of its members were involved in the deadly September 2, 2016 bombing in the city.

On the other hand, the 74 percent disapproval on the President’s apology also indicated that residents in Davao City supported his move of allowing the burial of Marcos at the LNMB or Libingan ng mga Bayani.

Duterte believers

The survey also determined who among the sectors, sex and age bracket expressed more support to President Duterte.

IPO said that a demographic disaggregation was made to determine the approval ratings of the President and showed that males and females maintain similar ratings of 86 percent.

“The single, married and the separated signified high ratings as well (86 percent) while the widow/er fall a point less than the rest (85 percent),” the survey added.

The survey also showed that respondents aged 50 to 59 years old signified the highest approval ratings of President Duterte with 88 percent; followed by 36-49 years old with 87 percent; 18-35 with 85 percent; and those above 60 years old with 83 percent.

President Duterte also got a high support from the business sector of Davao City with an approval rate of 89 percent.

Students in the city posted a low approval rate of the President during the survey with 81 percent.

By income class, the survey also indicated huge ratings of the President from among the top income class – the class A and B with 91 percent.