COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Majority of the constituents of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) have expressed satisfaction over the performance of the current ARMM administration.

The incumbents welcomed this as well as the consistent favorable ratings they have received from the community of foreign donor-institutions.

In its recent survey commissioned by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and two international agencies, the Social Weather Station (SWS) said at least 63 percent of the ARMM’s residents were “satisfied” with the operations of the regional autonomous government, while 18 percent were “dissatisfied” for a net rating of +45.

Supported by the Asia Foundation and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the SWS survey was conducted last July 21-25 in observance of the 20th anniversary of the Local Government Code (R.A. 7160). The results were released last Oct. 10. SWS chief Mahar Mangahas subsequently publicized them in various media outlets.

“Within ARMM, the residents themselves appear contented with the regional government’s performance; 63 percent are satisfied and 18 percent are dissatisfied, for a very good net +45,” Mangahas said.

Mangahas said the survey covered representative samples of 400 household heads each in Balance Luzon (outside Metro Manila), Visayas and Mindanao, plus 300 specifically in ARMM.

He said the assessed performance areas included education programs, environment protection, sports promotion, garbage collection, street lighting, health services, disaster preparedness, popular consultation, and financial transparency in which the present ARMM administration obtained “very good” or “good” rating.

Fr. Eliseo Mercado Jr., executive director of the Institute of Autonomy and Governance, said the good performance rating was the “first” in the 20-year history of the autonomous region, and is “definitely something to celebrate.”

Mercado attributed the feat mostly to the “indefatigable Executive Secretary, Atty. Naguib G. Sinarimbo (whose) energy and youthful enthusiasm are akin to a virus that spreads itself to the whole ARMM structure since the incumbents have taken over the helm of ARMM government in December 2009 following the tragic Maguindanao massacre on 23rd November 2009.”