SIXTY-THREE percent of Filipinos believe the Marcos administration should address increases in prices of commodities, according to a Pulse Asia survey conducted from June 19 to 23.
The same survey showed that among the other top concerns of Filipinos are an increase in pay of workers (44 percent), creation of more jobs (31 percent), and poverty reduction (30 percent).
The survey had 1,200 respondents aged 18 years and older, who were asked what they think the Marcos administration should do about issues of national concern.
Twenty-five percent of the respondents want a tougher stance against graft and corruption in government, 16 percent said that the law must be equally applied to all citizens regardless of the social status, another 16 percent want the government to address involuntary hunger, and 15 percent want the Marcos administration to provide assistance to farmers to include selling their products.
Other concerns are fighting criminality, 13 percent; promotion of peace in the country, 11 percent; provision of support to small traders to restore their businesses, 10 percent;
destruction and abuse of the environment and reduction of taxes, both 7 percent; defense of Philippine territory against foreign intrusions, 6 percent; and preparedness for any kind of terrorism, and protection of overseas Filipino workers, both 4 percent.
Pulse Asia said these are the same concerns Filipinos want immediately addressed based on its survey in March this year.
The latest survey also showed the respondents gave high approval ratings for 10 of the 13 issues which the national government addressed.
These were the administration’s work in protecting the welfare of OFW with 76 percent, responding to the needs of areas affected by calamities (73 percent), promoting peace in the country (67 percent), fight against criminality (64 percent), defending the country’s territory (63 percent), stopping destruction and abuse of the environment (61 percent), assistance to farmers (59 percent),
Fifty-six percent of the respondents approved of the administration’s enforcement of the law, 53 percent were in favor of the act to create more jobs, 52 percent approved the increase in workers’ pay, 44 percent satisfied with way the administration fights graft and corruption in government, 43 percent liked the administration’s approach to addressing poverty, and 31 percent approved of the administration’s actions to control inflation.
“From March 2023 to June 2023, significant changes in public opinion regarding the national administration’s quarterly performance may be noted. Appreciation becomes more pronounced towards the latter’s efforts to control inflation, create more jobs, and increase pay of workers,” Pulse Asia said.
“On the other hand, disapproval eases on the issues of job creation (-10 percentage points), poverty reduction (-10 percentage points), and inflation (-15 percentage points).
Levels of indecision increased regarding the administration’s work in the areas of reducing poverty (+6 percentage points), fighting criminality (+8 percentage points), fighting corruption in government (+8 percentage points), and controlling inflation (+9 percentage points),” it added.
Inflation rate was at 5.4 percent in June, down from 6.1 percent in May. The Department of Finances said it was the lowest in 13 months. President Marcos Jr has said attributed the latest drop in the inflation rate to the continuing efforts of his administration to strengthen the economy.
