LOCAL survey shows that Dabawenyos are unsure whether Davao City would benefit from the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF), according to the University of Mindanao Institute of Popular Opinion (IPO).
The survey targeted random 1,200 Dabawenyos between the age of 18 to 70 years old from the three legislative districts of Davao City. The survey was conducted from June 7 to 13.
The results showed that almost half of the Dabawenyos or 46.4 percent answered they are unsure if the MIF could be managed equitably and fairly while three out of ten or 34.8 percent said the city will not benefit from the Fund.
Only 18.8 percent or two out of ten Dabawenyos answered that they are certain Davao City would benefit equitably.
The participants were also divided as to the benefits of the MIF as a whole. Four out of ten or 40.6 percent said it is non-beneficial while only three our ten or 26.1 percent answered otherwise, and three out of ten or 33.3 percent said they are unsure.
When asked regarding the Dabawenyos’ trust in the Maharlika Investment Fund, UM IPO Specialist Dr. John Vianne Murcia said their trust depends on the kind of information the public consumes.
“It’s on the manner on how it (information about the investment fund) is disseminated to them. Nandoon ang trust issue natin, mayroon tayong (We have trust issues because we have) experience on investment schemes in the past and hearing the word investment is something that we really try to shy away from,” Murcia said.
He added that the public also consumes limited medium of information on the topic, particularly short-second videos on social media and the like.
In fact, Murcia said majority of the participants learned through social media videos and articles while others relied on TikTok and YouTube.
“Kaunti lang ang demographic na nag sabi na (There was only a small demographic who said) they got it from the news... (They prefer) short-term information or communication telling them something is rather than reading the entire article,” he said.
Only two out of ten Dabawenyos or 21.7 percent said they do not know about the Maharlika Investment Fund while seven out of ten or 71 percent answered they are aware of it.
At the same time, six out of ten or 60.9 percent know about its purpose while only two out of ten answered either they do not know or are unaware.
The Senate Bill 2020 on MIF was passed on its third and final reading on May 31 and is pending approval from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.