President Arroyo’s net satisfaction rating further dropped to negative (-) 38 from the previous unsatisfactory net rating of -31, the 3rd quarter Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey results showed.

The polling firm found that only 23 percent were satisfied while 62 percent were dissatisfied with President Arroyo’s performance in the past three months, bringing her net rating to a bad -38.

The SWS terminology for net satisfaction ratings are as follows: +50 and above, “very good”; +30 to +49, “good”; +10 to +29, “moderate”, +9 to -9, “neutral”; -10 to -29, “poor”; -30 to -49, “bad”; -50 or lower, “very bad.”

The latest approval figure for Mrs. Arroyo is significantly lower than the net -31 (26 percent satisfied, 56 percent dissatisfied) rating she received in the July 2009 survey.

The polling firm explained that it rounded off the figures to come up with the final numbers after it was noted that some of the tallies are not exact.

The survey conducted from Sept. 18 to 21 among 1,800 respondents found that dissatisfaction worsened in areas outside the National Capital Region (NCR).

Results showed that Mrs. Arroyo’s net satisfaction rating went down by 13 points in Luzon outside Metro Manila, at a bad -45 (19 percent satisfied, 64 percent dissatisfied) in September, from a bad -32 (23 percent satisfied, 55 percent dissatisfied) in June.

The President’s rating worsened by six points in Mindanao, at poor -27 (30 percent satisfied, 57 percent dissatisfied) at present from a poor -22 (31 percent satisfied, 53 percent dissatisfied) previously.

It also worsened by four points in the Visayas, at a bad -32 (26 percent satisfied, 58 percent dissatisfied) at present, from a poor -28 (30 percent satisfied, 58 percent dissatisfied) in July.

President Arroyo’s rating in Metro Manila remained at a bad -46 (20 percent satisfied, 66 percent dissatisfied) in September, which is the same as the -46 (19 percent satisfied, 65 percent dissatisfied) in June.

With regard to urban satisfaction with President Arroyo, it slightly dropped to 21 percent in September, from 23 percent in June.

Meanwhile, dissatisfaction went up to 65 percent from 61 percent, bringing her urban satisfaction rating seven points down to a bad -44 at present from a bad -37 in July.

Rural satisfaction with the President went to 25 percent from 28 percent, while dissatisfaction went to 59 percent from 52 percent, bringing her rural net rating 18 points down to a bad -34 in September, from a poor -23 in July.

SWS also noted that dissatisfaction intensified in all socio-economic classes.

The President’s net satisfaction rating declined by 26 points in classes ABC, at a very bad -54 (17 percent satisfied, 70 percent dissatisfied) in September, from a poor -28 (27 percent satisfied, 55 percent dissatisfied) in June.

Likewise, dissatisfaction intensified in class E, worsening by 12 points to a bad -34 (26 percent satisfied, 60 percent dissatisfied) at present, from a poor -22 (30 percent satisfied, 52 percent dissatisfied) before.

It worsened by five points in class D or the masa, at a bad -39 (23 percent satisfied, 62 percent dissatisfied) now, from a bad -34 (24 percent satisfied, 58 percent dissatisfied) before.

The Third Quarter SWS used face-to-face interviews of 1,800 adults divided into random samples of 300 each in Metro Manila and Mindanao, and 600 each in Balance of Luzon and the Visayas with sampling error margins of ±2.3 percent for national percentages, ±6 percent for Metro Manila and Mindanao, and ±4 percent for balance Luzon and the Visayas.

Despite the worsening poll numbers, Malacañang put up a brave face and said President Arroyo’s public satisfaction rating will improve soon especially after her government’s “very good” performance in dealing with the recent natural calamities.

Deputy Presidential Spokesman on economic affairs Gary Olivar said they are not worried about the latest dip in the President’s popularity, as they expect the public to appreciate the government’s immediate rescue, relief and rehabilitation operations during the onslaught of storms Ondoy and Pepeng.

“If people are objective how this government responded to the calamity, the government did a very good job in terms of timely response, use of resources, and most of all what the government was able to do in terms of rallying our people as a society to respond to the crisis,” he said in a news conference in the Palace.

Olivar said the SWS survey did not cover the latest national disaster that struck the country and how the government and the people dealt with the calamity.

“If a survey was to be taken now, maybe a little after the dust has settled, I think we will see a positive impact from what happened,” he added.

Deputy Presidential Spokesman Anthony Golez also agreed that the President’s ratings will pick up soon given efforts displayed by the government in handling the onslaught of the recent storms that left many families wet, hungry, and homeless.

He said the United Nations resident coordinator has praised the government’s timely response and mobilization of resources that minimized the loss of lives and properties.