Malacañang is concerned that many Filipinos are expecting their lives to get worse in the next year but assured them that the government is doing its best to revive the economy.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after the recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showed that 36 percent of adult Filipinos expect their lives to get worse in the next 12 months.
In a statement, Roque said the result of the survey was concerning even though it was not unexpected because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
" is certainly an issue that concerns the administration," he said.
"The Palace acknowledges that the COVID-19 pandemic and the quarantine restrictions have adversely affected the socioeconomic conditions of our people for the respondents of the survey to have this opinion," he added.
Roque said this was the reason why the government is doing everything to save the economy.
"It is for this reason government economists have prepared a whole-of-society program in our recovery plan called Recharge PH to mitigate its impact," he said.
"Ingat buhay para sa hanapbuhay is our current direction with the gradual opening of industries, such as the resumption of our Build, Build, Build program, including the build up of the country’s health system capacity and preparing for new normal through digital transformation," he added.
"We hope to revitalize the economy and stimulate growth for the betterment of the lives of our people," he continued.
This week, another SWS survey showed that 45.5 percent or about 27.3 million Filipinos were jobless during the pandemic.
In a press briefing, Roque expressed gladness that the poll only got 45 percent, saying it could have been worse.
"Ako po ay nagagalak na hindi tayo 100 percent nawalan ng trabaho kasi sa tagal po na naka-lockdown tayo, talagang I'm still surprised at our resilience at 45 percent pa lang po ang nawawalan ng trabaho (I am glad to hear that we didn't hit 100 percent in terms of unemployment because we've been under lockdown for so long. I'm still surprised at our resilience that only 45 percent lost their jobs)," he said.
"It could have been worse," he added.