MANILA — Public satisfaction with the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. plunged to its lowest level since he took office, with the government registering a “poor” net satisfaction rating amid growing public dissatisfaction over inflation, fuel prices and corruption, according to the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey.
The nationwide survey conducted in March 2026 showed the Marcos administration posting a net satisfaction score of -13, marking a steep 27-point decline from its +14 rating in November 2025 and setting a new low for the administration.
SWS said the result was not only the lowest recorded by the Marcos administration but also the weakest net satisfaction rating posted by any Philippine administration in the last 16 years.
The rating was based on 32 percent of respondents who said they were satisfied with the government’s performance, compared with 46 percent who were dissatisfied and 21 percent who were undecided.
The survey was conducted from March 24 to 31 through face-to-face interviews with 1,500 adult Filipinos nationwide and carried a margin of error of ±3 percent.
The sharp decline came despite the administration receiving positive ratings in several key governance areas.
Improving the quality of children’s education emerged as the administration’s strongest-performing issue, earning a net satisfaction rating of +52, classified by SWS as “very good.”
Other government programs that received “good” ratings included helping the poor (+45), housing programs (+45), generating employment opportunities (+42), developing science and technology (+40), and ensuring food security (+32).
Respondents also gave “moderate” ratings to the administration’s performance in defending Philippine sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea (+27), providing information about government projects (+26), truthfulness in governance (+24), public transportation (+24), protecting Filipinos in Middle East danger zones (+21), and addressing hunger (+12).
However, dissatisfaction was strongest in issues affecting household expenses and governance.
The administration received a -15 rating on fighting inflation, -12 on ensuring oil companies do not take advantage of fuel prices, and -10 on efforts to eradicate corruption in government.
The survey likewise showed declining satisfaction across all major geographic areas.
Balance Luzon posted the administration’s highest rating at a neutral 0, while both Metro Manila and the Visayas registered -23. Mindanao recorded the lowest net satisfaction score at -27.
SWS also found that satisfaction ratings declined among both men and women, across urban and rural communities, and among all age and educational groups.
Among college graduates, the administration suffered its biggest drop, falling 40 points from +5 in November 2025 to -35 in March 2026.
Younger Filipinos likewise registered significant declines in satisfaction. Among respondents aged 18 to 24, the administration’s rating dropped from +18 to -17, while those aged 25 to 34 saw a decline from +12 to -18.
Despite the overall downturn, SWS noted that public satisfaction improved in three specific areas: housing programs for the poor, efforts against tax evasion, and measures aimed at curbing corruption in government.
Still, the latest survey suggests that concerns over rising prices, fuel costs and governance issues continue to weigh heavily on public sentiment, driving the administration’s overall satisfaction rating into negative territory for the first time in its tenure./PN
