MAJORITY of the Filipinos still viewed their present lives positively in December 2018, but the number has declined, a survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed.

Based on the survey conducted on December 16 to 19, 2018 but was released by SWS just on Tuesday, September 24, the percentage of Filipinos who had a positive outlook in life was 86 percent, a bit lower than the 87 percent in December 2017.

The SWS noted that 10 percent rated their life negatively, while four percent rated it with a neutral zero.

The poll results yielded a mean nationwide Anamnestic Comparative Self-Assessment (ACSA) rating of +2.60 on a scale that goes from -5 to +5.

The SWS defines "anamnestic" as "based on memory" as it is anchored on the respondents' memories of their "personal best and worst times in the past."

The latest figure was lower than the 2017 mean ACSA rating of +2.82, with 87 percent rating their lives positively, seven percent rated it negatively, and six percent rated it a neutral zero.

The December 2018 survey was the second time the ACSA scale was applied in a national survey of well-being in the country.

The SWS conducted the December poll using face-to-face interviews among 1,440 respondents.

In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the executive branch welcomed the poll results, especially since President Rodrigo Duterte and his administration keep on "working tirelessly to lift millions of our people from poverty and bring a comfortable life for all."

"While the Chief Executive has given priority to the improvement of peace and order in the country, it cannot be disregarded that he has also laid the foundation that will propel the nation to progress and reach new heights," the Palace official said.

"It therefore gives us encouragement that almost all Filipinos, whether here or abroad, have universally recognized the bold strides undertaken by the President and his Administration to pursue sociodevelopment programs that are not only inclusive but are also sustainable," he added.

Panelo was elated that Filipinos continue to feel "genuine and meaningful" change under Duterte's leadership.

He said the public can expect that the Duterte government would work harder to fulfill its mandate to serve the people.

"Indeed, our people have felt genuine and meaningful change as a result thereof, thus the outcome of the survey," he said.

"These shall be the bedrock of the Duterte legacy in the remainder of his term and the Filipino people can expect that we will not rest nor will we tire until all our taxpayers are convinced that they are getting their money's worth," he added. (SunStar Philippines)