High prices a concern of nearly one-half of Filipinos, poll says

NEARLY ONE-HALF of Filipinos expressed concerns about rising prices, a Pulse Asia survey released on Tuesday said.

Laborers work on a new building in Manila in this photo taken in January 2014. Forty-six percent of Filipinos are concerned about rising prices while 44% said they also consider raising workers’ salaries as important, a Pulse Asia survey said. -- AFP

Forty-six percent of Filipinos said inflation was their utmost worry, 44% expressed concerns about increasing workers’ salaries, while 40% placed importance on fighting graft and corruption.

The poll was participated in by 1,200 Filipinos and conducted March 1 to 7, more than a week before a P15 wage hike was approved by the National Capital Region’s Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB).

The survey was also conducted more than a week before the Senate proceedings on allegations that Vice-President Jejomar C. Binay received P651 million from an anomalous deal between the Boy Scouts of the Philippines and real estate giant Alpha Land Corp.

“A second set of urgent national concerns include poverty reduction (37%) and job creation (34%) while a third cluster is comprised of criminality (22%), peace (22%), and rule of law (19%),” said a statement that was accompanied by survey results.

Meanwhile, public approval on government measures to control inflation rose five points to 29% in March from the previous rating of 24% in November. Similarly, public approval on increasing workers’ pay went up one point from 32% in November to 33% in March.

Public approval on government measures in addressing poverty and job creation remain unchanged during the two comparative periods.

Public approval on fighting graft and corruption went down by three points to 42% in March from 45% in November. Ratings on the government’s anti-criminality campaign also slid by two points to 45% from 47%.

For his part, Communications Secretary Herminio B. Coloma said that the latest performance ratings “do not significantly differ” from the previous survey conducted, but promised to act on the areas where government action is perceived to be lacking.

“In the next 15 months, the administration will intensify efforts at job creation while maintaining fiscal discipline in order to rein in inflation. Good governance is imperative in achieving inclusive growth,” Mr. Coloma said in an issued statement.

Meanwhile, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) said that the government should have focused on core issues raised in the survey instead of spending its time, energy and political capital on other least priorities of the Filipino people.

“These concerns were not satisfactorily addressed by the Aquino administration. Poverty remains widespread and the situation is worsening. Salary and wages are stagnant and cannot sustain a family. Quality jobs are rare and dwindling,” TUCP Spokesman Alan A. Tanjusay said.

“There is no real inclusive growth because wages are low and quality employment are simply not there.” -- Alden M. Monzon / BusinessWorld