While the ban on POGO and the issue on West Philippine Sea were highlights of the recent State of the Nation address (SONA), Filipinos online are more interested to hear about salary increase in the government, and welfare protection of Overseas Filipino Workers, according to the latest scan of Facebook posts conducted by Capstone-Intel Corp.
The research and intelligence firm said there were 3,212 posts about SONA based on the two-day scan of publicly available Facebook pages from July 22 to July 23, 2024, which gained a total of 418,769 reactions and an engagement score of 119,646.4.
Malacanang’s RTVM livestream of President Marcos’ SONA gained the highest engagement score of 10,297. But comments were mixed, with some praising the President’s achievements, while others criticized him for lack of good service and protection for OFWs. One of the comments to RTVM’s livestream stated: “Walang maayos na serbisyo sa OFWs. Kailangan namin ng proteksyon, hindi koleksyon.”
The Facebook post of the Department of Budget and Management on President Marcos’ announcement regarding salary increase for government workers for 2024 and additional medical allowance starting next year was ranked second in the highest engagement score of 7,831.5.
However, a post by the Philippine Star about President Marcos’ announcement on the ban of all POGO effective July 22, 2024 ranked only third in engagement score at 4,805.2. Engagement score is computed as (Comments + Reactions)0.1 + Shares.
Atty. Nicasio Conti, chief executive officer of Capstone-Intel Corp. said while there is a high interest in SONA, a large number of Filipinos online were expecting concrete plans of President Marcos particularly on creating more jobs, decent wages and livelihoods.
He said given the attention on the livestreams of SONA, Filipinos are indeed interested to hear more from the President during the SONA.
“However, the engagement scores of Facebook scan on SONA showed that Filipinos are more interested on issues directly affecting them such as employment and medical benefits, as well as improving the lives of our OFWs and their families,”said Atty. Conti.
Meanwhile, a Facebook post by ABS-CBN on the statement of Vice President Sara Duterte’s boycott of President Marcos’ SONA gained the highest “ haha”2,501.5 engagement score. One of the comments to the Facebook post stated: “What a drama for the next presidential elections…”
Majority of the reactions on SONA posts were positive, with 48.6 percent “like” and 29 percent “love” reactions from the 418,769, while there were 0.3 percent “sad,” and 0.5 percent “angry.”
Atty. Conti, who served as commissioner for the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) said he POGO issue had gained satisfactory attention for the past months, reflecting a high interest among Facebook users.
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For more information and interview opportunities regarding surveys, you may contact Capstone-Intel’s Research and Publications Director, Ella Kristina Domingo-Coronel at 09565711298.
Capstone-Intel is a high-impact research company that uses innovative research technologies, tools, and methods to convert data and information into breakthrough insights and actionable intelligence outputs. It is committed to helping its clients solve problems, find solutions, grow markets and constituencies, build reputations, navigate risks, manage crises, and be the country’s leading private research and intelligence agency.
