Majority of Filipinos will greet the coming year with hope rather than with fear, the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showed.
In the survey results released on Friday, the SWS said 96 percent of Filipinos will enter the 2020 with hope, while only four percent will enter the New Year with fear.
The number of hopeful Filipinos for the New Year increased by four points from the 92 percent in 2018, and ties the record-high level that was first achieved in 2017.
While those who are fearful for the coming year are down by four points from the eight percent in 2018, and matches the record-low levels in 2017 and 2011.
The rise in the overall New Year hope from 2017 to 2019 was due to increases in all areas except in Mindanao.
Based on the survey, New Year hope rose in Balance Luzon with a new record-high of 99 percent in 2019 from 96 percent in 2018. This surpassed the previous record of 97 percent in 2017, 2016, and 2013.
In Visayas, New Year hope significantly increases from 79 percent in 2018 to 97 percent in 2019.
The latest figure matches the record-high level for this area that was first achieved in 2010.
It also rose in Metro Manila from 94 percent in 2018 to 96 percent in 2019. This matches the record-high levels achieved in 2017, 2011, and 2010.
However, New Year hope fell slightly in Mindanao from 94 percent in 2018 to 90 percent in 2019.
According to the SWS, hope for the New Year has always been high, starting at 87 percent when the survey firm first asked the question in 2000.
It rose to 88 percent in 2001 and 95 percent in 2002 before easing to 90 percent in 2003, 81 percent in 2004, and 85 percent in 2005.
It ranged from 91 percent to 92 percent from 2006 to 2008, and went up to 89 percent in 2009. It further rose to 93 percent in 2010, and has since then been at 90s levels, reaching as high as 96 percent in 2017 and 2019. (Alexandria San Juan)
