Most Filipinos say nat’l government more responsible in solving COVID-19 crisis

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 10) — A survey reported that most Filipinos believe that the national government is more responsible than the local government in solving issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Social Weather Stations asked 1,555 adult Filipinos of 18 years and above who they think is more responsible in solving the health crisis between the national government headed by the president and the local government headed by governors and mayors.

Three out of five, or 60 percent of those surveyed said the national government is more responsible when it comes to addressing the crisis, 23 percent believe otherwise, and 14 percent said both are equally responsible.

Per area, majority said response should come from the national-level, with 61 percent in Metro Manila, and 60 percent each in Balance Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Majority of those in urban and rural areas also agree with 60 percent and 61 percent, respectively.

However, SWS reported that this belief is lower among those with more education.

“[I]t is 66% among elementary graduates, 63% among non-elementary graduates, and 61% among junior high school graduates, compared to 58% among those with some college, and 53% among college graduates,” it said.

The survey was conducted from July 3-6 using mobile phone and computer-assisted telephone interviewing.

To control the surge of COVID-19 cases in the past days, the government implemented modified enhanced community quarantine in areas with high number of cases like Metro Manila.

Aside from efforts at the national level, local chiefs have been also doing their part to scale up their COVID-19 response. Some have been providing assistance to medical frontliners, setting up testing facilities, and allocating additional relief assistance to their residents.