Most Filipinos believe that President Marcos should focus on the Philippine economy, with the rising prices of basic goods as the most pressing issue, based on the results of Publicus Asia’s “Pahayag 2023 Third Quarter Survey.”

“It has been revealed that the concerns of Filipino citizens remain consistent with those of the previous quarter. However, a significant shift in focus has occurred as the relentless rise in prices of basic goods has elevated prices/inflation and the Philippine economy to the forefront of national priorities,” Publicus Asia said in a statement on Monday, Sept. 25.

“Approximately a third of Filipinos now see these economic challenges as the most crucial areas for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to address,” it added.

Publicus Asia said economic concerns, including affordability of basic necessities and commodities (15 percent), increasing prices (14 percent) job seeking challenges (12 percent), underpayment (12 percent), and unemployment (10 percent), are becoming significant concerns for Filipinos as they head into the last quarter of 2023.

It also noted that Filipinos show distinct macro and micro concerns, with 25 percent of minimally educated individuals prioritizing rising prices and inflation, 26 percent of the 50-59 age group focusing on economic stability, and 17 percent in the Visayas highlighting corruption as a top concern.

The survey also revealed that 22 percent of Filipinos, particularly those less educated, face challenges in meeting basic needs, while 19 percent of 25-29-year-olds face job scarcity and skill mismatches, and 19 percent of government workers express dissatisfaction with their pay.

“These findings reveal a diverse array of pressing issues within Filipino society, emphasizing the need for multifaceted solutions,” Publicus Asia said.

The Pahayag survey is an independent and non-commissioned survey, which was conducted from Sept. 7 to 12 and involved 1,500 respondents from a panel of over 200,000 Filipinos gathered nationwide.