Inflation still top concern of most Pinoys

MANILA, Philippines — With the second Marcos administration into its third year, controlling the increase in prices of basic commodities remains the top concern of most Filipinos, a new poll conducted by OCTA Research found.

The June 26 to July 1 survey, released a day before President Marcos’ third State of the Nation Address (SONA), found that 65 percent of the respondents have identified inflation as among their three most urgent national concerns.

It hardly moved from the 66 percent obtained in a similar survey in March 2024, although it was down from the record 73 percent in December 2023.

Controlling the increase in prices of basic goods and commodities was the only national concern selected by a majority of respondents.

It was also the most urgent national concern across geographic areas and socio-economic classes.

Following inflation was access to affordable food like rice, vegetables and meat (40 percent), increasing wages of workers (33 percent), creating more jobs (33 percent), reducing poverty (28 percent) and providing free quality education (18 percent).

Other urgent national concerns included fighting graft and corruption (17 percent), defending the country’s territory in the West Philippine Sea (15 percent), fighting criminality (11 percent), promoting peace and order (10 percent), reducing taxes (seven percent) and equal enforcement of the law (five percent).

Five other issues were selected by less than five percent of the respondents: protecting overseas Filipino workers, stopping the destruction of the environment, controlling population growth, defending the integrity of Philippine territory and preparing for any terrorist threat.

Personal concerns

The survey also asked the respondents to select up to three personal concerns that they deem as the most urgent.

To stay healthy remained on top of list, with 71 percent of respondents selecting it.

It was followed by having enough to eat (57 percent), finish schooling or provide schooling for children (44 percent), have a secure and well-paying source of income (38 percent), avoid being a victim of crime (34 percent), to have savings (32 percent) and to own a house and lot (23 percent).

OCTA’s non-commissioned Tugon ng Masa survey had 1,200 adult respondents and a margin of error of plus/minus three percent.