Filipinos full of hope in 2018 -SWS

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Despite the challenges in 2017, 96percent of Filipinos welcome 2018 with high hope.

The Social Weather Station (SWS) survey conducted December 8 to 16 recorded an “all-time high” hope.

The survey also showed only 4% of Filipinos expressed fear of what 2018 would bring them, the result is just 1%percent below compared to the 2016 result.

It has been a record that Filipinos have high hopes in the coming year.

In the result, Luzon and Mindanao also posted “all-time” high scores of Filipinos who would welcome 2018 with hope, the SWS said.

Hope for the New Year was highest in Luzon at 97%, followed by Metro Manila at 96%, Mindanao at 95% and the Visayas also at 95%, according to the polling body.

Even in other economic classes, Hope is still high, with an all-time high 97% for Class D, and another all-time high 93% for Class E.

New Year hope also stayed widespread among classes ABC with 97% in 2017. It reached 100% in 2012, the SWS said.

Moreover, New Year hope among those who expected a happy Christmas is greater than New Year hope among those who expected a sad Christmas, the polling body said.

“Compared to last year, New Year hope rose by 2 points among those who expected a happy Christmas, from 96% in 2016 to 98% in 2017,” the SWS said.

“It fell by 4 points among those who expected a sad Christmas, from 92% in 2016 to 88% in 2017,” it added.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Saturday welcomed the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey saying almost all Filipinos “have high hopes” for 2018.

“Indeed, there are reasons to be hopeful,” he said in a statement. “Our economy is on a roll with institutions like the Asian Development Bank upgrading our growth outlook for 2017 and debt watcher Standard & Poor’s (S&P) Global Ratings also adjusting upward its economic growth forecast for the Philippines this year.”

Roque said the liberation of Marawi is expected to likewise spur economic activities in Mindanao.

“The implementation of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act– together with higher investment in infrastructure– on the other hand, is expected to prop up our economy in 2018,” he said.

“The prospects for the future thus look bright,” he said. “We therefore ask our citizens to help the Administration in laying down the foundation of a prosperous and peaceful nation.”

According to the 4th Quarter 2017 Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey conducted from Dec. 8 to 16, “a new all-time high 96 percent of adult Filipinos are entering 2018 with hope rather than with fear.”

This surpassed the previous record of 95 percent achieved in 2002, 2011, and 2016.-Editha Z. Caduaya/Newsline.ph