Most Pinoys want inflation tackled at SONA – Pulse

MANILA, Philippines — With inflation still deemed as the most urgent national concern among Filipinos, a majority of respondents of a recent Pulse Asia survey said they want President Marcos to discuss in his upcoming State of the Nation Address how his government plans to deal with the rising cost of basic commodities.

Results of the June 17 to 24 survey released yesterday found that 57 percent want Marcos to discuss or mention “controlling inflation” in his third SONA on July 22.

It was the only option selected by a majority of respondents, who were allowed to choose up to three issues.

Following inflation were improving the national economy (36 percent), creating more jobs or livelihood (35 percent) and actions to be taken to stop the incursion of other countries in Philippine territory, particularly the West Philippine Sea (31 percent).

Other issues that respondents want the President to discuss in his SONA include fighting graft and corruption (26 percent), increasing the pay of workers (24 percent), eradicating illegal drugs (21 percent), improving the educational system (18 percent) and peace in the country (18 percent).

These were followed by restoring unity among national officials (13 percent), restoring people’s trust in the government (12 percent) and changing the Constitution (five percent).

Less than one percent of the respondents wanted the President to talk about providing cash assistance, housing for the poor and support for small businesses.

Urgent concerns

The issues that Filipinos want Marcos to mention in his SONA are aligned with the most urgent national concerns that they identified.

Inflation was among the top three of 72 percent of the respondents, followed by increasing the pay of workers (44 percent), reducing poverty (32 percent), creating more jobs (30 percent) and fighting graft and corruption (22 percent).

These were followed by addressing involuntary hunger (20 percent), providing assistance to farmers (13 percent), promoting peace in the country (13 percent) and fighting criminality (11 percent).

Obtaining less than 10 percent were equal enforcement of the law (nine percent), reducing taxes (eight percent), providing support to small entrepreneurs (eight percent), stopping the destruction of the environment (seven percent), defending the integrity of Philippine territory (five percent), protecting the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (four percent), preparing for terrorist threats (two percent) and changing the Constitution (one percent).

Based on the survey, most Filipinos still do not think that Marcos has fulfilled the promises he made when he was running for president in 2022.

Only 32 percent said he was able to fulfill his promise of strengthened tourism, while 26 percent said he fulfilled his campaign promise of improving the country’s infrastructure.

Some 24 percent said Marcos was able to defend the country’s sovereignty, while 21 percent said his administration increased food production through financial and technical assistance to farmers.

Less than 20 percent said Marcos fulfilled his campaign promises on the following issues: building various renewable sources (19 percent), efficient bureaucratic process (16 percent), establishment of the Philippine Virology Institute (nine percent) and rice at P20 per kilo (four percent).

Some 20 percent of the respondents answered none, while another eight percent said they do not know.

The survey had 2,400 adult respondents and a margin of error of plus or minus two percent for national percentages.