Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian was cited as the second highest performing cabinet official of the Marcos administration in the latest “Boses ng Bayan” survey by the RP- Mission and Development Foundation Inc. (RPMD).

According to the survey results, the DSWD chief got an approval rating of 84% along with a trust rating of 88%.

Some 10,000 people from the 65.75 million registered voters in the Philippines participated in the “Boses ng Bayan” survey, which was facilitated by RPMD from September 20 to 30, 2023.

The DSWD chief was also recognized as the second highest cabinet official with 76% approval and 85% trust ratings in the RPMD’s public sentiment survey which was carried out from June 25 through July 5, 2023.

“Secretary Gatchalian would like to express his gratitude to the Filipino people for recognizing Team DSWD’s contributions and efforts to improve and innovate the delivery of social protection services and programs to the poor, marginalized, and vulnerable Filipinos,” DSWD Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications Romel Lopez said.

Along with Secretary Gatchalian who continues to set the benchmark for cabinet performance were Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), cited as the highest performing cabinet official, with a 90% approval rating and a 94% trust rating; and Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco of the Department of Tourism (DOT), on the same spot with Secretary Gatchalian, with an approval rating of 83% and trust rating of 86%.

Securing the third place were Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista and Budget (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman with approval ratings of 81% and 80%, accompanied by trust ratings of 84% and 82%, respectively.

Other heads of agencies included in the top 5 were Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo Pascual; Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan John Enrile Uy; Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla; and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan.

The RPMD is an independent provider of marketing and opinion data with field representatives in Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao that monitors and analyzes political trends. #