Most Pinoys satisfied with gov’t peace efforts

From the Philippine Star (Jul 11): Most Pinoys satisfied with gov’t peace efforts

A majority of Filipinos are satisfied with the Aquino administration’s efforts to pursue peace in Mindanao, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) said.

The OPAPP on Thursday cited the results of the Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey which showed the public’s +23 rating on the administration’s efforts in “restoring peace to Mindanao,” up from +12 in March, with a majority of Filipinos at 52 percent expressing satisfaction.

“The President’s overall satisfaction rating also recovered last month to +31 from +19 in March, his lowest since he assumed office in 2010. He also received a +19 and a +13 rating on giving justice and fighting terrorism, respectively,” OPAPP said in a statement.

Quoting Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr., OPAPP said President Aquino continues to enjoy high satisfaction ratings due to his stand on controversial issues, including his effort in the peace process.

Coloma said the government also received a high rating for securing the peace process alongside its advancement of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) and the implementation of provisions in the peace agreement such as normalization and decommissioning.

Government peace panel chairman Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, for her part, thanked the people who continued to support the Bangsamoro peace process and helped shape a favorable view among the populace.

Ferrer said the latest SWS survey results showed Filipinos across the country are realizing the stakes involved in the Bangsamoro peace process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) amid the security concerns in the West Philippine Sea and other security threats such as the Abu Sayyaf and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

“What we are doing is not only for the Bangsamoro but for the benefit of all Filipinos. I am grateful that more Filipinos realize why we must pursue the solutions provided by the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro so that the government can focus on other pressing problems,” Ferrer said.

OPAPP added the latest survey also showed a +1 satisfaction rating with regard to “reconciliation with Muslim rebels.”

“This was several notches up from the -3 rating of the administration under the same category last March,” OPAPP said.

Ferrer said this net positive rating showed more people are seeing the big picture and its benefits.
“We welcome the support of every Filipino, especially at this juncture when permanently ending the conflict with the MILF is so close and is no longer elusive,” Ferrer said.

The OPAPP also released a statement in which Australian Ambassador Bill Tweddell reiterated his country’s support for the peace process in Mindanao and their initiatives to improve the educational system in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM.)     
                               
Tweddell said the Australian government remains steadfast in its support for the current peace process and for development in the ARMM and the Bangsamoro.

“As a strong supporter of peace, Australia would like to see peace and stability in Mindanao – to allow development and prosperity to take place in the region,” Tweddell said.

Tweddell said peace in Mindanao would result in stability and economic development in the region.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/07/11/1475596/most-pinoys-satisfied-govt-peace-efforts