Inflation is the only national concern cited by majority of Filipinos as the issue they would like President Marcos to discuss or mention in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22, a survey conducted by Pulse Asia revealed.

Based on the survey results released on Friday, July 12, 57 percent of Filipinos specifically want President Marcos to discuss inflation in his next SONA. 

Pulse Asia said this view is shared by “bare to considerable majorities” across all geographic areas (51 percent to 63 percent), as well as Classes D and E (58 percent to 66 percent).

Meanwhile, Filipinos from Class ABC expressed preferences for President Marcos to address measures to control inflation (43 percent), the state of the national economy and strategies for its improvement (41 percent), actions to counter foreign incursions into Philippine territory in the West Philippine Sea (35 percent), and initiatives for job creation (34 percent).

Pulse Asia also noted that at the national level, improving the national economy (36 percent) and creating more jobs or livelihood opportunities (35 percent) constitute another set of issues that Filipinos believe the President should address in his next SONA. 

Following closely behind is the issue of measures to be taken by the Philippines to prevent foreign incursions into the country’s territory in the West Philippine Sea, with 31 percent mentioning it.

A fourth group of issues cited by Filipinos includes graft and corruption in government (26 percent) and increasing workers’ pay (24 percent).

Eradicating the problem of illegal drugs (21 percent), improving the country’s educational system (18 percent), and achieving peace (18 percent) comprise a fifth set of issues, while a sixth one includes restoring unity among national officials (13 percent) and rebuilding public trust in the government and its officials (12 percent).

Only 5 percent of Filipinos expressed interest in hearing the President discuss charter change in his upcoming SONA.

Inflation still top concern

During the survey period, Pulse Asia also highlighted that inflation is the most urgent national concern for Filipinos that requires immediate attention from the Marcos administration.

“For most Filipino adults (72 percent), controlling the spiraling prices of basic commodities is the issue that should be immediately addressed by the national administration. This is the only issue, out of 17, that is considered as an urgent national concern by majority of the country’s adult population,” Pulse Asia said.

The second urgent national concern is increasing workers' pay, with 44 percent, while reducing poverty (32 percent) and creating more jobs (30 percent) share the third spot. 

Fighting corruption in government (22 percent) and addressing the problem of involuntary hunger (20 percent) comprise a fourth set of national issues that the current administration should promptly address.

Other issues are each identified as urgent by at most 13 percent of Filipino adults. 

These are helping farmers (13 percent), promoting peace (13 percent), fighting criminality (11 percent), enforcing the rule of law (9 percent), reducing taxes (8 percent), providing support to small entrepreneurs (8 percent), protecting the environment (7 percent), defending national territorial integrity (5 percent), protecting the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (4 percent), preparing to face terrorist threats (2 percent), and amending the 1987 Philippine Constitution (1 percent).

Pulse Asia noted that from March 2024 to June 2024, Filipinos became more concerned about four issues, namely, jobs (+5 percentage points), peace (+5 percentage points), poverty (+7 percentage points), and workers’ pay (+8 percentage points). 

Meanwhile, public concern about helping farmers and small entrepreneurs eased during this period (both at -6 percentage points).

The survey was conducted from June 17 to 24, using face-to-face interviews with 2,400 adults aged 18 and above. 

The margin of error is ±2 percent nationwide at a 95 percent confidence level.