MANILA — A recent series of surveys conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS) and Pulse Asia, commissioned by Stratbase Group, revealed that the majority of Filipinos believe the government’s social welfare programs are beneficial to the nation’s poor.
The surveys, conducted between January 17 and 25, 2025, polled a combined total of 4,200 respondents and focused on the effectiveness of key social assistance initiatives such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD), and the Ayuda sa Kapos at Kita Program (AKAP).
According to the SWS survey, 90% of Filipinos found the 4Ps program helpful, with 66% considering it “very helpful.” Similarly, 88% of respondents rated TUPAD as beneficial, with 51% calling it “very helpful.” Eighty-one percent of Filipinos also expressed positive views on AKAP, with 42% finding it “very helpful.”
Other programs like the Walang Gutom Program (formerly the Food Stamp Program) and Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) also received strong ratings, with 81% of respondents considering them helpful.
The Pulse Asia survey further backed these findings, with 82% of respondents agreeing that 4Ps and TUPAD significantly contribute to improving the financial stability and well-being of Filipinos, particularly those in lower-income brackets.
These results underscore the positive impact of government aid on disadvantaged communities, with many Filipinos citing the programs as essential for their economic stability and livelihood.
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