Inflation Still Tops Filipino Concerns; Demands for Jobs, Anti-Graft Initiatives Grow

Inflation control and the rising cost of basic commodities remain the most urgent national concerns for a majority of Filipinos, even as public clamor for job creation and anti-corruption measures rapidly gains ground, the latest Pulse Asia surveys reveal.

Data from the July 2026 Ulat ng Bayan survey shows that 57% of adult Filipinos identify controlling inflation as their top priority. Fighting government corruption placed second at 43%, followed closely by the demand for increasing workers' pay at 36%.

Shift in Administrative Priorities

In a separate Pulse Asia poll commissioned by the Stratbase Group, released just ahead of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), respondents narrowed down the immediate tasks they want the current administration to tackle.

• Food Security: 30% of Filipinos stated the government must prioritize actions to make food prices more affordable.
• Graft and Corruption: 28% called for the absolute reduction or elimination of corruption in government.
• Economic Opportunities: Another 28% demanded the generation of more jobs and livelihood opportunities.

Interconnected Economic Pressures

The findings indicate that the public no longer views economic survival and clean governance as separate issues. According to policy analysts, the statistical tie between the demand for jobs and anti-corruption measures suggests that Filipinos increasingly link systemic graft to stunted economic growth and fewer employment options.

While the administration's economic managers point to stable macroeconomic indicators, the everyday reality for ordinary citizens remains heavily dictated by the retail prices of rice, meat, and vegetables. The 30% baseline for food affordability underscores a lingering vulnerability in the agricultural supply chain.

High Stakes for the 5th SONA

The timing of the survey releases places significant pressure on Malacañang as the President prepares to address the nation. The data serves as a direct roadmap of public expectations, signaling that any post-SONA policy directives must balance immediate consumer relief with structural reforms in accountability and labor market expansion.