A NEWLY released non-commissioned survey by polling firm Tangere reveals that three members of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s Cabinet have emerged as the most trusted and highest rated officials in the administration, based on public satisfaction.

Leading the pack is Secretary Rex Gatchalian of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), who earned the highest satisfaction rating at 59.4 percent. The survey attributes this strong performance to the continued rollout of the AKAP (Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program), a flagship cash assistance initiative that has resonated strongly among lower-income Filipinos, particularly those in socioeconomic classes D and E. The program, which aims to support families struggling with high living costs, has helped solidify Gatchalian's public profile as a pragmatic and empathetic Cabinet member.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara followed closely behind with a 58.1 percent satisfaction rating. Angara's tenure at the Department of Education (DepEd) has been marked by his push to address the long-standing crisis in Philippine basic education. His advocacy for more classrooms, better teacher training, and a revised K-10 curriculum appears to be paying dividends in public perception, particularly as the country begins to recover from the long-term educational setbacks caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon rounded out the top three with a 56.8 percent satisfaction score. Dizon, who previously served as the government's "Build, Build, Build" point man under the Duterte administration, has carried his infrastructure expertise into the Department of Transportation (DOTr), spearheading ongoing rail projects, airport expansions, and public transport upgrades. His continued involvement in key transportation projects has earned him recognition as a capable technocrat driving tangible results.

While these three Cabinet officials topped the rankings, the survey also showed strong performances from Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. and Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac, who garnered satisfaction ratings of 55.5 percent and 55.0 percent, respectively.

These results, according to Tangere, reflect a broader trend: departments that oversee essential public services — social welfare, education, science, labor, and transportation — tend to enjoy higher public approval.

The complete rankings reveal several notable performances: Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa registered 54.2 percent, while Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma received 54.0 percent.

Tourism Secretary Ma. Esperanza Christina Frasco garnered 53.5 percent satisfaction, with Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo close behind at 53.2 percent. Trade and Industry Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque achieved 52.5 percent, while Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman rounded out the list with 49.8 percent and 49.5 percent, respectively.

The non-commissioned survey was conducted from April 21 to 22 through a mobile-based app using a stratified random sampling method. A total of 2,400 respondents from across the country participated, with a margin of error of ±1.96 percent at a 95 percent confidence level. Regional representation was also ensured, with participants drawn from the National Capital Region, Northern and Southern Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.