The persistent rise in consumer prices and clamor for better wages remain persistently at the top of national concerns, as far as Filipinos surveyed by the latest Pulse Asia survey are concerned.
The poll, conducted from June 26 to 30 this year with results released on Thursday, revealed that while concern over inflation has slightly eased, the push for increased worker pay has surged, highlighting the economic anxiety deeply felt across the archipelago.
The survey, which sampled 1,200 adult respondents with a margin of error of ±2.8 percent, showed that 62 percent of Filipinos identified controlling inflation as the most urgent national concern.
This figure, though marking a notable dip from 70 percent in April, remains substantial compared with other areas of concern.
Simultaneously, a striking 51 percent of respondents now seek priority to be given to wage increases for workers, a significant jump from 34 percent in the previous poll.
This upward trend in wage concerns is seen reflecting Filipino households’ struggle to keep pace with the daily cost of living even if inflation now appears tempered from a governance viewpoint.
The latest inflation figure released by the government stood at 1.4 percent in June, picking up slightly from 1.3 percent in May.
A review of Pulse Asia’s data since June 2024 reveals a consistent pattern: inflation and worker pay have remained the top two concerns among respondents, fluctuating between 62 percent and 74 percent for inflation, and 32 percent and 51 percent for wages.
Beyond these top two, other national concerns register with varying degrees of intensity. Reducing poverty, at 26 percent (up slightly from 24 percent), and creating more jobs, at 25 percent (a marginal decrease from 26 percent), emerge near the top.
The fight against graft and corruption registered 24 percent, while concerns over criminality saw a more significant drop to 17 percent from 32 percent, seen potentially reflecting public perception of improved security. Addressing involuntary hunger hovered at 17 percent.
Other issues such as promoting peace (15 percent), agricultural assistance for farmers (13 percent), supporting small entrepreneurs (12 percent), and enforcing the law (11 percent) also appeared on the public’s radar, albeit with less urgency.
Lesser concerns included reducing taxes (9 percent), stopping environmental degradation (8 percent), defending national territorial integrity (5 percent), protecting overseas Filipino workers (4 percent), and preparing for terrorism (1 percent).
Regional, socio-economic concerns
The survey’s granular data illustrates how these concerns manifest across different regions and socio-economic groups.
Controlling inflation, for instance, remains a majority concern across all geographic areas, ranging from 60 percent to 72 percent.
Metro Manila recorded the highest anxiety over inflation at 72 percent, followed by Mindanao at 64 percent, and Luzon and the Visayas both at 60 percent.
Similarly, across socio-economic classes, inflation was a top concern for Class D
(63 percent) and Classes ABC and E (both 62 percent).
Demand for higher wages also figured near the top. It was the second-highest concern, ranging from 49 percent to 54 percent across regions, with the Visayas showing the highest concern at 54 percent.
Among socio-economic classes, Class ABC and Class D registered 51 percent each, with Class E slightly lower at 48 percent. These figures paint a picture of a population united by the fundamental need for economic stability and a decent standard of living.
Marcos administration’s rating
The Pulse Asia survey also provided a snapshot of the Marcos administration’s performance in addressing these concerns, revealing a mixed bag of progress and persistent challenges.
The administration received majority approval ratings in several key areas. Its response to calamity-hit areas saw a significant jump to 63 percent approval from 51 percent in March, suggesting effective disaster relief efforts.
Protecting the welfare of overseas Filipino workers also saw a substantial increase in approval to 62 percent from 51 percent, and helping farmers garnered 53 percent approval, up from 31 percent.
Other areas of administration which showed improved approval ratings included defending national territorial integrity (48 percent, up from 39 percent), stopping environmental degradation (44 percent), promoting peace (42 percent), enforcing the rule of law (42 percent), and creating more jobs (42 percent).
Fighting criminality also saw its approval rating nearly double to 39 percent from 24 percent.
However, the survey also underscored areas where the administration faced considerable public disapproval. Inflation remained the administration’s Achilles’ heel, with a majority disapproval rating of 66 percent, despite a slight decrease from 79 percent previously.
Poverty also saw a majority disapproval at 54 percent, an increase from 48 percent, indicating that many Filipinos still feel the pinch of economic hardship.
Graft and corruption garnered 50 percent disapproval, while addressing workers’ wages still faced a near-majority disapproval of 48 percent.
Other notable disapproval ratings included hunger (40 percent), criminality (36 percent), and jobs (38 percent), though these saw declines from previous figures.
The public‘s verdict suggests that while some government initiatives are gaining traction, the core economic issues of prices and wages continue to be a source of significant discontent.
Personal, national anxiety
Finally, the survey delved into Filipinos’ most urgent personal concerns, which largely mirrored national sentiment.
Staying healthy topped the list at 64 percent, a universal concern amplified in the current environment.
This was closely followed by having a secure and well-paying job or income source at 53 percent, reinforcing the public’s focus on economic stability.
Having some savings (45 percent), ensuring schooling for oneself or one’s children (44 percent), and having enough to eat daily (43 percent) also ranked highly, underscoring the everyday struggles and aspirations of ordinary Filipinos.
Avoiding serious crimes (28 percent) and owning a house and lot (23 percent) rounded out the personal concerns, offering a comprehensive look into the daily preoccupations shaping the national mood.
