SEVEN out of 10 Dabawenyos or 75 percent are aware about federalism, the result of the survey by the University of Mindanao-Institute of Popular Opinion (UM-IPO) that was conducted last April showed Wednesday, June 19.
The survey institute had systematically chosen 1,200 respondents in all three districts in Davao City in one week, using a 95-percent confidence level method and three-percent implemented margin of error.
The remaining portion of the survey also showed 16 percent of the respondents are still not aware of federalism, while 10 percent did not indicate a response.
UM-IPO Institute of Social Welfare and Human Development Director Joel Tan, however, said the survey's scope does not include the respondents' stand on the new political structure President Rodrigo Duterte wants to implement in the country.
"Awareness doesn't constitute that whether they support it or not, basta naa lang sila knowledge nga na-aware sila nga there is really a move to restructure the government through federalism," Tan told Sunstar Davao, adding the survey primarily focused on the awareness level of the community.
He admitted the premise of the survey was limited due to the information being complicated to be disseminated to the public.
Tan said the survey was coincidently conducted before the second half of the Duterte administration enters.
He also said the survey is non-commissioned and part of UM-IPO's corporate social responsibility.
Meanwhile, the survey also included the respondent's source of information about federalism, which the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Mindanao Development Authority (Minda) tied with 41 percent. This connotes that the government agencies are the main drivers in the campaign toward federalism.
Other sources include the National Alliance for Federalism Philippines, Department of Tourism, and Department of Trade and Industry.
Tan said the information drive approach conducted by the two main agencies has been very holistic.
He said UM-IPO will be planning another series of surveys, this time with the respondent's stand.
Minda public relations head Adrian Tamayo said the survey result shows the eagerness to understand federalism.
"Perhaps, they do not think it as an ordinary political agenda because it is very much higher," Tamayo said.
He also said the percentage rate of awareness is somewhat closer to the President's trust rating, which is in between 70 to 75 percent.
Tamayo, however, said there is still a need to accelerate the information campaign.
"There's no other way to convince the people by making things clear. We are looking at the federalism as accelerating the socio-economic forms in Mindanao," he said.
He also said Minda, together with DILG and other federalism groups, is pushing the information drive to the barangay levels.
Tamayo hopes the next set of lawmakers will prioritize federalism in the incoming session.
But he said the direction of federalism will still depend on the President's order, which will be based on his upcoming State of the Nation Address.