Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte has once again emerged as the top performing local executive in the National Capital Region, according to a recent survey.
The independent and non-commissioned survey was conducted by RP-Mission and Development Foundation Inc. (RPMDinc) through face-to-face interviews with 3,500 respondents.
Belmonte got the highest approval rating of 86 percent, followed by Pasig City Mayor Victor Maria Regis “Vico” Sotto, and Manila Mayor Franciso “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, with 83 percent and 80 percent, respectively.
Following the three mayors are Rex Gatchalian of Valenzuela City with 76 percent; Marcelino Teodoro of Marikina with 75 percent; Lino Cayetano of Taguig with 69 percent; Abigail Binay of Makati with 68 percent; Toby Tiangco of Navotas with 65 percent; Carmelita Abalos of Mandaluyong with 58 percent; Francis Zamora of San Juan with 55 percent; and Jaime Fresnedi of Muntinlupa with 51 percent.
“Overall, almost all NCR Mayors approval ratings improved compared to the previous surveys. However, of the 17 NCR mayors, only 11 were given a passing rate by their constituents. The top 5 NCR mayors are doing a great job. Not only that they were able to maintain their rankings, but they also increased positively from +1% to +3% points and the highest gainer is Mayor Domagoso and Teodoro +3%,” said Dr. Paul Martinez of RPMDinc.
Low approval ratings were recorded in Pasay City with 33 percent, Malabon with 35 percent, and Las Pinas with 37 percent.
“Reviewing the comments given by the respondents — innovations in reaching and addressing constituents' concern during pandemic, social welfare services, ease in doing business and transactions at city hall, and hands-on mayor made Belmonte as the top NCR Mayor. In Pasig, the core agenda is eradicating corruption of Mayor Vico as the top comment while Mayor Isko's constituents said they liked his initiative in going around addressing concerns and issues even at night time," Martinez added.
The respondents were also asked if they would vote for their mayors if they run for re-election.
Sotto got the highest rating at 80 percent, followed by Belmonte, 76 percent; Moreno, 75 percent; Teodoro, 67 percent; Cayetano, 60 percent; Binay, 62 percent; Tiangco, 58 percent; and Abalos, 53 percent.
The survey was conducted from February 20 - 28. The respondents are registered voters and residents of Metro Manila, with ages 18 to 70.