3-10-2023 (MANILA) Inflation, characterized by the surging prices of goods and services, continues to be a major concern for Filipinos, according to a recent nationwide survey conducted by independent polling firm Pulse Asia Research Inc. The survey, released on Tuesday, revealed that 74 percent of the 1,200 adults polled expressed worry about the need to control the rising prices of essential commodities.
The survey, which took place from September 10 to 14, indicated that public opinion on urgent national issues has remained relatively consistent during this period, except for an 11 percent increase in concern regarding the need to curb the rising prices of basic goods from June to September 2023.
Pulse Asia noted that year-on-year, concerns about inflation have become more pronounced, with an 8 percentage point increase. In contrast, levels of concern regarding job creation have decreased by 8 percentage points, and concerns about poverty reduction have decreased by 9 percentage points.
The survey identified the second and third most pressing concerns as increasing workers’ salaries, with 49 percent expressing worry, and creating more job opportunities, which garnered 27 percent of respondents’ concerns. Filipinos also expressed apprehension about reducing poverty, combating corruption in government, addressing criminality, resolving the issue of involuntary hunger, and providing assistance to farmers.
On Monday, Pulse Asia reported a decline in Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos’ approval rating, dropping by 15 percentage points to 65 percent in September from 80 percent in June. This decline can be attributed to the high prices of commodities, particularly rice.
The government recently announced that inflation accelerated to 5.3 percent in August, following a six-month period of slowdown. The increase was primarily driven by rising food and fuel prices, which have put further strain on the already burdened wallets of Filipino consumers.
