In Pulse Asia’s most recent Ulat ng Bayan survey, majority of respondents  were found to be in favor of continuing the peace talks between the government and the CPP-NPA-NDF. Based on results, 64% believe that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) should have a role in supporting the Filipino people’s aspirations for peace.

In the Pulse Asia survey conducted March 15-20, 2017, some 1200 respondents were asked regarding their awareness of peace talks between the government and the NDFP. Respondents were located in four areas  namely, NCR, Balanced Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Among the 1200 respondents, nearly three-fourths of all respondents (74%) claim awareness of the peace talks.

“Awareness is expected to be high as the current framework of the peace negotiations directly involves the Filipino people. The talks are being used as a very important and crucial venue for discussion on the ways to end poverty and truly develop the country as a means to achieve just and lasting peace. Both parties recognize genuine land reform and national industrialization as the key to improve the lives of majority of Filipinos and bring lasting peace in the country, ” DSWD Sec. Judy M. Taguiwalo said.

Regarding the ages of the respondents, it was revealed that 59%  of respondents aged 18-24 are aware of the peace talks, 58% aged 65 years and up are aware.  Regarding the educational background of respondents, 58% of elementary graduates, and 90% of college graduates are aware of the peace talks.

Awareness is higher among male respondents (80%); compared to awareness among female respondents (69%).

Favoring the peace talks and the DSWD’s aspiration for peace

A majority (80%) of all respondents, and 85% of respondents who are aware are in favor of continuing the peace talks and 64% think the DSWD should have a role in supporting the Filipino people’s aspirations for peace.

The reasons provided by respondents on how important the peace talks are the following:

• 76% of all respondents, and 78% of respondents who are aware of the peace talks say that it could end the clashes between the military and armed groups.
• 49% of all respondents, and 46% of respondents who are aware say that peace talks can help the needy and the poor.
• 40% of all respondents, and 46% of aware respondents say that the peace talks can help develop the rural areas.
• 34% of all respondents and of aware respondents say that the peace talks can result in the government allotting higher budget for social services.
• Only 2% from both all respondents and aware respondents say that the peace talks will not help in developing the country in anyway.
• 63% of all respondents, and 64% of aware respondents think the DSWD should have a role in supporting the aspirations for peace. In Mindanao where the armed conflict is most active, 75% for both all respondents and aware respondents  think that the DSWD should support aspirations for peace.
• The numbers in favor of continuing the peace talks are as follow:  86% of NCR respondents; 76% in Balanced Luzon; 79% in Visayas; and 84% in Mindanao.

“That many of our people  are aware and support the peace efforts of the government is a welcome development. Having peace in our land makes the DSWD’s delivery of services easier and faster. It also creates the condition where more of government’s resources and budget can be allocated for social services for the poor and marginalized sections of Philippine society,” Sec. Taguiwalo said.

As the fourth round of the peace talks in The Netherlands in April focused on the Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms (CASER), Senator Loren Legarda, in the confirmation hearing of Sec. Taguiwalo expressed the need for the Duterte Administration to have a cabinet secretary from the left with close ties with the grassroots movement. Among the major points to be discussed in the CASER are free land distribution to the tillers, rural development, national industrialization, and an expanded social service for the people.###