Economic issues are among of the top concerns of most Filipinos, according to a Stratbase-commissioned survey.

In the survey released, it was found that five of the top seven most urgent national concerns and the second most pronounced personal concern of Filipinos were related to the economy.

“We continue to advocate for a more investment-driven growth,” said Prof. Dindo Manhit, Stratbase ADRi President, during the first Session of the Pilipinas Conference 2021, Sustaining Economic Recovery Post-Pandemic Towards 2022 & Beyond last Nov. 22.

“We need to establish a favorable environment for businesses so we can attract not only domestic but even foreign investments, generate jobs, spur consumption, and address generational inequality," he added.

In a Pulse Asia survey conducted last September 6 to 11, among the most urgent national economic concerns of Filipinos were: controlling inflation (41 percent), increasing the pay of workers (40 percent); reducing poverty (29 percent); creating more jobs (25 percent); and providing assistance or subsidy to those who lost jobs and livelihood because of COVID-19 pandemic (19 percent).

Meanwhile, the most pressing personal concern for Filipinos was having a secured source of income (47 percent) followed by the desire to stay healthy and avoid illness.

Based on the Pulse Asia’s figures in June and September 2021, these economic concerns were shown by people’s declining ratings of the national administration’s performance.

The Duterte administration’s rating in terms of providing assistance to those who lost jobs or livelihood due to the pandemic declined from 66 percent to 64 percent; controlling the spread of COVID from 65 percent to 59 percent; fighting graft and corruption from 64 percent to 52 percent; creating more jobs from 54 percent to 49 percent; reducing poverty from 44 percent to 41 percent; and controlling inflation from 43 percent to 37 percent.

On the other hand, 57 percent of Filipinos believe their quality of life got worse in the past 12 months, while 13 percent said it got better, and 29 percent said nothing change, according to a survey by the Social Weather Stations, which was done last September 12 to 16.

In a separate survey by the SWS on October 20 to 23, it showed the three of the top four issues that should be addressed by national candidates were economic in nature: controlling the prices of basic, service, and commodities (57 percent), providing jobs (54 percent), and increasing the wages of workers (27 percent).

In another survey, it was also found that most Filipinos believe the government should collaborate with the private sector to boost economic development.

Eighty two percent of Filipinos believed that the growth of the economy will be accelerated if the government collaborates with the private sector.

Among issues that private investors can address to boost the economy are the creation of jobs, expanded livelihood opportunities, and help that will uplift the lives of Filipinos out of poverty.

“The private sector has established itself as a reliable partner of government in addressing the people’s most urgent needs and building back from this economic and health crisis,” Manhit said.

“Through the investments, expertise, and innovativeness of the private sector, coupled with heightened cooperation with other stakeholders, we believe that the most urgent socio-economic challenges can be addressed, jobs can be created, livelihood ecosystems can be nurtured, poverty can be alleviated, and the lives of millions of Filipinos can be uplifted. We adhere to what we call ‘stakeholder capitalism'."