The Philippine Army (PA) and Philippine Air Force (PAF) expressed gratitude to the Filipino people after a recent survey conducted by research firm OCTA Research revealed they are among the most trusted government agencies in the country.
According to the results of the “Tugon ng Masa” survey by OCTA Research for the fourth quarter of 2024, the Army garnered a +75 percent net trust rating and a +76 percent net satisfaction rating while the Air Force recorded a +73 percent net trust rating and a +71 percent net satisfaction rating.
“The Army's efforts in addressing internal security threats such as the Communist Terrorist and Local Terrorist Groups to attain stable internal peace and security in municipalities, provinces, and regions increased its engagement and relevance to the public, as these contribute to the economic and developmental growth of the nation,” Army chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido said on Monday, Dec. 23.
In the nationwide survey, the Filipino people expressed their satisfaction with the Philippine Army's performance of its duties regarding national security.
More people are also willing to defend the country against foreign threats.
Compared to 77 percent in the prior survey, the respondents who expressed their willingness to fight alongside the Philippine Army to defend the country and safeguard national sovereignty against foreign aggressions rose to 82 percent.
Galido encouraged the troops to use the survey results as inspiration to improve their work and continue fulfilling their missions to the best of their abilities.
“These comprehensive data also reflect that Filipinos can unite and that national resilience can be achieved given the best approach to overcome the multifarious challenges the country is facing and may face in the ever-changing situations,” the Army chief noted.
Meanwhile, the PAF noted that the results of the survey marked significant progress over recent years.
In 2021, the PAF received a 58 percent approval rating and a 41 percent trust rating from another research firm, Publicus Asia Inc.
By 2023, the figures improved to 65 percent and 54 percent, respectively.
“The latest ratings reflect the Air Force's consistent efforts to enhance operational excellence, foster community engagement, and effectively address national security and development priorities,” said Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura.
The survey also revealed that 79 percent of Filipinos support the continued modernization of the PAF, reflecting the public's recognition of its crucial role in protecting national security and territorial integrity.
“This sentiment underscores the need for advanced technology and resources to meet evolving challenges,” Cordura noted.
The PAF chief said the ratings and strong public support validate the PAF's commitment to being a credible and agile force, responsive to national and regional security needs.
He said these also affirm the Air Force’s essential contributions to sovereignty protection, humanitarian assistance, disaster response, and peacebuilding.
“In 2025, the PAF will build on these achievements by further enhancing its capabilities, strengthening community engagement, and upholding transparency and operational excellence to remain a trusted partner in national security and development,” Cordura promised.