More Filipinos worry about inflation, says Pulse Asia

Inflation graphics. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The number of adult Filipinos anxious about rising prices of goods and services is growing as controlling inflation remains their top concern.

This was the result of Pulse Asia’s latest national survey on “Urgent National Concerns” released Tuesday, indicating that 74 percent worry about inflation which is 11 percentage points higher than the 63 percent recorded in a similar polling conducted last June.

The September 10-14, 2023 survey also showed that 48 percent of Filipino adults ranked inflation control as their number one concern while 17 percent and nine percent ranked it as second and third, respectively.

READ: Bongbong Marcos, Sara Duterte’s approval ratings fall – Pulse Asia

After inflation control, adult Filipinos said they are concerned about increasing workers’ pay (49 percent) and additional job creation (27 percent).

They were likewise concerned about:

• reducing the poverty of many Filipinos (25 percent)
• fighting graft and corruption in government (22 percent)
• fighting crimes (18 percent)
• addressing the problem of involuntary hunger (14 percent)
• providing assistance to farmers including selling produce (13 percent)
• enforcing the law on all, whether ordinary or influential people (11 percent)
• providing support to small entrepreneurs to restore their businesses (nine percent)

The Pulse Asia survey involved 1,200 respondents nationwide and had a ± 2.8 percent margin of error at the 95% confidence level and a ± 5.7% margin of error for each locale.

READ: Heads of all 3 gov’t branches’ approval ratings fall – Pulse Asia survey

Concern about inflation ranked first among different locales and social classes, according to the polling firm.

It said that at least 66 percent of Metro Manila residents considered controlling inflation a top concern. It  was the same for 72 percent of respondents from Balance Luzon; 80 percent, from Visayas; and 79 percent, from Mindanao.

At least 67 percent from Class A, B, C, and 75 percent from Classes D and E likewise deemed inflation as their number one concern.

“Majority levels of concern about controlling inflation are posted in every geographic area and socio-economic class (66% to 80% and 67% to 75%, respectively),” Pulse Asia explained.

“Except for the double-digit increase in the level of concern regarding the need to control the rising prices of basic goods (+11 percentage points) from June 2023 to September 2023, public opinion about urgent national concerns is virtually constant during this period. Year-on-year, concern about inflation becomes more pronounced (+8 percentage points) while levels of concern go down in relation to job creation (-8 percentage points) and poverty reduction,” it added.

READ: Inflation still Filipinos’ top concern – Pulse Asia

Gov’t flunks performance in curbing inflation

Majority of the adult respondents also registered their disapproval of the government’s action in controlling inflation.

Fifty-six percent said they do not approve of the government’s handling of the matter while only 16 percent approve. Respondents who said they were undecided about it was at 28 percent.

These ratings resulted in the government’s net approval score of -40 in terms of controlling inflation.

Pulse Asia pointed out that the 16 percent approval of the government’s performance in dealing with inflation during last month’s face-to-face survey is a downturn from the 36 percent it received in the June 2023 polls.

READ: PH September 2023 inflation pegged at 5.3%

It further noted that the 56 percent disapproval of government efforts to tackle rising prices of goods and services during the September 2023 census increased from the 37 percent recorded in a survey conducted three months ago.

“On the other hand, disapproval for the administration’s performance becomes more notable in relation to its handling of three (3) issues – fighting corruption (+6 percentage points), reducing poverty (+8 percentage points), and controlling inflation (+19 percentage points),” Pulse Asia said.

In the same September 2023 survey, the polling company said respondents graded the government well in its actions protecting the welfare of OFWs with a +71 net approval rating; responding to needs of areas hit by calamities (+66); promoting peace in the country (+54); defending the integrity of the Philippine territory (+50); and fighting criminality (+45).

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