SWS survey: 62 percent satisfied with DOST

THE Department of Science and Technology (DOST) received a "good" satisfaction rating in the December 2024 survey of the Social Weather Stations (SWS) commissioned by the department.

Sixty-two percent of the respondents were satisfied with the DOST's performance, 14 percent were dissatisfied, and 19 percent were undecided.

The DOST said that this resulted in a net satisfaction rating of +47 which was classified as "good."

In July 2024, its net satisfaction rating was +50 ("very good").

"We at DOST appreciate our communicators in the government, academe and the media in helping us deliver STI-related news to the public, especially during national health crises and extreme events and disasters," DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said.

STI stands for science, technology and innovation.

The survey found that 88 percent of the respondents were aware of the DOST. It also found that 71 percent of Filipinos were aware of science and technology in the Philippines.

The DOST said that this survey "presented a 184 percent increase against the July 2024 survey result reporting that only 25 percent of Filipinos have heard, read, or watched any news or information about science and technology in the past month prior to the survey's conduct," the DOST said.

Meanwhile, 71 percent of the respondents agreed that the DOST's programs and services contributed to a "resilient, unified, and sustainable Philippines." Six percent disagreed, while 14 percent were undecided.

The DOST said the same survey found that 46 percent of Filipinos believed that science and technology had a positive influence on society, while 14 percent believed it had a negative influence, and 32 percent were undecided.

"The percentage of Filipinos who believe science and technology positively affect society is higher among those aged 18-24 (60 percent) and college graduates (62 percent)," it said.

"These findings translate to a record-high net agreement score of +71, which SWS classifies as 'very strong,'" it said.

Solidum welcomed the survey results as "an affirmation of the Department's efforts to be at the forefront of providing solutions and opening opportunities to the Filipino people through science, technology, and innovation (STI)."

The survey was conducted from Dec. 12 to 18. It had 2,160 respondents, with 13 percent coming from Metro Manila, 45 percent from the rest of Luzon, 19 percent from the Visayas, and 23 percent from Mindanao.