About a third of Filipinos or 35 percent believe national government leaders should primarily work to make food more affordable, particularly rice, meat, and fish, according to a Pulse Asia survey conducted from September 17 to 23 and released on Friday.
The figure represents a five-percentage point increase from the 30 percent recorded in July, according to the poll commissioned by the Stratbase Group. The survey sampled 2,400 respondents nationwide and carried a margin of error of ±2 percent.
The survey results also showed that 26 percent of respondents want the national government to focus on creating more jobs and livelihood opportunities, down from 28 percent in the previous survey. Meanwhile, 24 percent of respondents, down from 28 percent, indicated that reducing or eliminating corruption should be prioritized to deliver better public services.
Additionally, 15 percent of Filipinos, up from 14 percent, felt that providing accessible education and healthcare services should be the primary concern addressed by the government.
Stratbase President Dindo Manhit stated that the findings highlight the need for the government to convert governance and economic management initiatives into direct improvements for everyday citizens.
“The message from the public is clear: governance must deliver tangible results. Fighting corruption, creating jobs and improving services matter, but these efforts ultimately have to translate into lower costs, better incomes and more secure livelihoods for ordinary families,” Manhit said.