MEASURING TRUST: Dabawenyos trust DOST, DepEd, but skeptical of DPWH, DOF, DOJ – Survey

Xavier Pajiran

Dabawenyos place the highest trust in government agencies focused on science, education, and technology, while remain skeptical toward departments handling infrastructure, finance, and justice, according to a recent city survey.

The University of Mindanao – Institute of Popular Opinion (UM-IPO) conducted an online poll of 1,200 residents across the city’s three districts from Jan. 9 to 26, 2026, achieving a 95% confidence level with a ±5% margin of error. Respondents rated their trust in selected national government agencies as “much trust,” “little trust,” “no trust,” or “undecided.”

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) led the trust rankings with a net trust rating of 41.3% and a combined trust score of 87%, followed closely by the Department of Education (DepEd) at 37% and the Department of Information Communications Technology (DICT) at 36.9%.

Other agencies such as the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) also ranked moderately high, with net trust ratings of 34.8% and 30.5%, respectively. 

Many respondents attributed their confidence to the visible and direct impact of these agencies’ programs on education, technology, and social services in the community

“I see how DepEd and DOST programs benefit students and small innovators,” said Pam Lao, 25, a public-school teacher from Catalunan Pequeño. “Their projects are easier to appreciate because they directly affect education and technology in our daily lives.”

In contrast, agencies at the bottom of the trust ladder included the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) with a negative net trust rating of –13.1% at 16th place, while the Department of Justice (DOJ) scored 0%, and the Department of Finance (DOF) and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) recorded low trust ratings of 4.4%.

“Citizens expect transparency and efficiency, especially for projects like flood control,” added Patrix Ibero Cruz, 25, a student-engineer. “Delays or mismanagement by DPWH can quickly erode public trust — and in these cases, it’s people’s safety at stake.

The survey reflected the evolving expectations among Dabawenyos’, who increasingly prioritize visible outcomes, transparent operations, and consistent engagement from government agencies as key drivers of institutional trust.