AFTER 14 months in office as mayor of Davao City, Sara Duterte-Carpio received a high rating of “8” for good performance, political will and less politics.
The rating, actually 7.925, was derived from interviews through text message on the question: “On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the highest, how do you rate Inday Sara’s performance in her first 14 months as city mayor?”
Of a total 150 respondents, only 94 responded in the opinion poll conducted by Edge Davao last September 14-16. The respondents were also allowed to explain their rating, if they wished.
Of the 94 respondents, 31 are members of the media –editors, reporters and photographers covering the City Hall beat. The rest are businessmen, professionals, private and government employees and ordinary persons reachable by cellular phone.
Media practitioners rated the mayor from a low of “3” to a high of “10.” The non-media respondents voted from a low of “5” to a high of “10.” The average rating from media respondents was “7.96”, while the rest had an average of “7.89.”
Two media practitioners gave Inday Sara a rating of “10” while three non-media respondents gave her the same perfect rating.
The survey respondents said they were impressed by lady mayor’s sincerity, honesty, political will, being focused, hardworking and her clear vision.
Significantly, business leaders were generous in giving her a high rating. Of the eight past presidents of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc., one gave her a “10” for being “isog ug molaban sa mga pobre” (brave champion of the poor).
Following is a sampling of the comments:
“She is more of a technocrat than a politician.”
“More focused on her job than PNoy. Very sensitive and perceptive. Quite emotional but politically correct. Integrity and honesty are her best assets.”
“For reforms in the fiscal aspect. For encouraging spending by the private sector especially investing on significant projects, impressive way of handling Kadayawan, etc., advocacy for protection of natural resources. Transparency. Understands accountability and acknowledges responsibility like in the punching incident.”
“She is doing what is expected of her. She is not just her father’s daughter, but a leader on her own. She stands for what she thinks is right and what is good for the common people.”
“Originally, I gave her 5, but I give an additional 3 for punching the sheriff.”
“She makes effort to manifest her political will, but she has to check her operations team.”
“She stands firm on her principles. Makatao siya and concerned talaga sa kanyang mga constituents. I could have given her a 9 or a 10, but then nobody is perfect. Hehehe.”
“Idealistic and quite good in governance, transparent, but she has to improve some more and maybe listen more to elders who know best.”
“She needs to remind again and again her enforcers to do their job. An example is the need to be consistent in checking the hardheaded jaywalkers. They make a mess of our traffic and really compromise road safety.”
“8.5 for sincerity, practicality, determination, conviction.. for being human more than a politician.”
“Mayor Duterte has shown her capability to run and handle the affairs of a big city like Davao, despite her being a neophyte.”
“Honest, sincere, decisive, soft-spoken, gentle but dangerous. Labaw sa tanan, grabe’g karisma!”
“She’s doing a great job at transitioning from her father’s style of governance to her brand of leadership. She appears sincere about helping the community and has a clear vision on how to do it.”
“She is hardworking, a doer.”
“She’s the best, a real person. Not a politician.”
“To rate the mayor, I used these factors –decisiveness, leadership and managerial skills. I rate her 10, 9 and 8 in that order, so average of 9.”
“I rate her 8, but she is fast moving up.”
“She is sincere.”
“She has put up the right structures and made them work.”
“She was able to maintain peace and order which is conducive to a dynamic economy and vibrant activity, although not as effective and charismatic as her father.”
“Par for the course as far as I’m concerned. I hope she sticks to what she believes is the right thing to do.”
“I believe she needs to focus more on our educational deficiencies and juvenile delinquents.”
‘’She’s transparent in terms of her feelings and thoughts, honest, courageous, has political will and cares for the poorest of the poor.”
I give her a ‘7. She is doing well in handling situations and concerns of the city. She still has more to accomplish, thus the remaining 3 points before she gets a perfect rating.”
“She is a fast learner, she has sense and she knows what is right for Davao City. She cannot easily be influenced by anybody. She places the interest of the city first more than any other.”
“She is doing good in the management of the city, especially administration and fiscal affairs. Araw ng Dabaw and Kadayawan were very successful, peace and order and traffic management also good, though need little improvement, people collaboration is okay, also shows political will. Good performance for a first timer.”
“Tourism players are very happy with Mayor Inday’s overwhelming support.”
“Peace and order, clean city, tourism and business climate all okay.”
“I admire her strength as a woman. She is able to carry her responsibilities confidently.”
“She is firm and consistent. So far, she has chosen competent, hard working and honest officials like Magnaye, Alabado, Felizarta and removed the problematic ones.”
“She has her priorities clear. There is a disconnect with people under her who can’t get their act together. She needs to crack the whip. This is an area that badly needs improvement.”
“She is sincere, ideal, firm, brilliant, radical, a good listener, kind, true public servant and top performing. She gives hope to all of us. Cheers!”
“She is daring, innovative, achiever and honest.”
“Leadership is okay but governance leaves much to be desired. Traffic is just one problem. Davao is a haven for jaywalkers, crossing a major street in green light is normal.”
“She is speaks her mind.”
“She possesses the political will of a Duterte and shows managerial and leadership skills and competence required of an LGU executive. These attributes of a good executive with a heart for the masa is evident even in the controversial punching of a sheriff due to the demolition of some urban settlers’ homes.”
“Woman of action.”
“Balanced developments, of infra, social and basic services with peace and order. City is more progressive and competitive under her governance. Has a clear vision for the city and works on it.”
“Okay siya sa management style but not applicable and effective in a politics-oriented setting developed throughout the years. Masyadong burgis ang mga alipores.. very offensive ang dating sa common tao.. ramming down the throat of people what they want and think is best for all.”
“wala pa syang nagawa sa area of investors to be brought to Davao City. Investment is monopolized by close supporters.”
“She is focused on what needs to be done, and does it well. She listens and acts. Plays less politics, does more work. Very industrious.”
“She managed to introduce economic development to the city and had engaged the private sector early on.” [AMA / Cover photo by jojie alcantara]
