A new study from the University of Batangas (UB) Research and Publications Office (RPO) has revealed a surprising disconnect in public opinion during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research found no significant statistical relationship between Batangas City residents’ level of awareness of the national government’s pandemic initiatives and their perception of those initiatives’ effectiveness.
The study, titled “Batangas City’s Public Opinion To National Government’s Covid-19 Response From April 2020 April 2021,” was published in the KALINANGAN Research Journal. The research project, headed by the RPO under Director Dr. Romell A. Ramos , was authored by a team including Reuben B. Belen, Jr., Riovolt Voughnder D Josol, and Dr. Priscilla Mizpah P. Santillana, among others.
The UB researchers used a quantitative, descriptive survey method to measure public opinion in Batangas City. The study had two main goals: first, to measure the public’s level of awareness of government responses, and second, to rate the perceived effectiveness of those same responses.
Key Findings from the UB Study:
- High Awareness for Protocols: Residents demonstrated a “Very Great Extent” of awareness for highly visible “Health and Safety Protocols” (like mask-wearing) and “Community Restrictions” (like lockdowns).
- Lower Awareness for Support: In contrast, public awareness was significantly lower for “Access to Information and Communication” and “Socio-economic Support,” such as the Social Amelioration Program.
- The Disconnect: Despite these varying levels of awareness, the study’s central finding is that awareness did not influence a resident’s perception of effectiveness. The results showed the factors were “unrelated,” leading the researchers to conclude that the “respondent’s degree of knowledge is unaffected by the efficacy of the National Government’s effort”.
The paper suggests this divide may have been fueled by “significant policy communication gaps” and a “trial and error approach” by officials, which “drew much negative public opinion” and created confusion, even if residents were aware of the rules.
The University of Batangas study concludes by proposing an action plan as an “effective tool for addressing the gaps” between government policy and public welfare. The researchers noted that the findings would serve as critical baseline data for the University, government agencies, and future researchers studying public opinion during national crises.