More Filipinos see ‘controlling inflation’ as most urgent nat’l concern

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Controlling inflation is the topmost concern of 66% of Filipinos today, according to the latest Pulse Asia survey.

The poll released Thursday showed that regulating inflation is the most urgent national issue for 71% of Filipinos in Class D, 58% in Class E, and 51% in Classes ABC.

It also indicated that the majority in Mindanao, or 81%, regard it as a pressing issue, 71% of those in the Visayas, 68% in Metro Manila or the National Capital Region, and 56% in Luzon.

Nonetheless, the same survey also found that many Filipinos are unhappy with the government’s response.

Expressly, 42% of Filipinos disapprove of how the government controls inflation. However, only 31% registered their approval of the government’s action on the issue, while 27% said they were still undecided.

In July, 57% of Filipino adults said inflation is the most urgent national concern that the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. should address. It increased by 9% in this latest Pulse Asia survey, which was conducted from September 17-21 involving 1,200 respondents.

The polling firm, however, explained that its newest audit does not account for significant events such as the depreciation of the Philippine Peso versus the US Dollar, the 50th anniversary of the declaration of martial law, and the senators’ move to ban offshore gaming operators, among others.

Moreover, the latest Pulse Asia survey showed that Filipinos see workers’ pay hike (44%), job creation (35%), poverty reduction (34%), fighting graft and corruption in the government (22%), fighting criminality (19%), addressing involuntary hunger (17%), law enforcement (12%), support for small business entrepreneurs (9%), stopping the destruction of the environment (9%), peace promotion (8%), tax reductions (7%), controlling the spread of COVID-19 (5%), defending the integrity of the Philippine territory (5%), OFW welfare protection (4%), and preparing for any form of terrorism (2%) as “urgent national concerns.”

Pulse Asia noted that respondents were allowed up to three choices during the survey.

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