Metro Manila, Philippines — Most Filipinos want to hear President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s plan to address rising prices of goods and services when he gives his annual report to the nation in over a week, according to a non-commissioned survey.
A Pulse Asia survey released on Friday, July 12, showed that most Filipinos (57%) identified “controlling inflation” as the top issue that should be discussed or mentioned in his up and coming State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22.
The poll found that the sentiment was shared across geographical areas and among lower socioeconomic classes.
“Improving the national economy” and “creating more jobs or livelihood” were the second and third on the list.
The survey said 72% or seven in 10 Filipinos believed managing inflation should be the most urgent national concern. Wage increase, poverty reduction, and job creation were next, it added.
Pulse Asia recorded a 76% disapproval score on the administration’s steps to temper prices of basic goods and services. Only 5% said otherwise.
The survey was conducted from June 17 to 24 among 2,400 people. Pulse Asia said the poll has a ±2% error margin.
The Philippine Statistics Authority reported that the inflation rate slowed to 3.7% in June after four straight months of rising trend. Food inflation, however, continued to surge.
Marcos earlier told reporters his SONA would tackle issues including the economy, criminality, illegal drugs, and the “different threats that have been coming to us.”
