Inflation, corruption most important issues – survey

FILIPINO households see rising prices and inflation as the most important issues for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to address alongside strengthening the economy and curbing corruption, the results of a new nationwide survey released on Sunday showed.

In the Pahayag Second Quarter 2024 survey conducted by Publicus Asia from June 15 to 19, respondents said they believed that tackling inflation was crucial as it directly affects Filipinos' ability to afford basic needs.

At the same time, the Pahayag survey showed that while the economic and financial outlooks show a slight improvement from the previous quarter, they remain low.

The same survey indicated that a growing number of Filipinos remain undecided on their stance toward both the current administration of President Marcos and the political opposition, with 43 percent and 52 percent saying they remain undecided, respectively.

The Pahayag survey also showed that positive views on the country's state and direction remain at an all-time low, with increasing indecision among Filipinos who are polarized when it comes to their overall positive sentiments about the country.

Those that held a negative presentiment about the state of the government heading to the next quarter were nearly equal to those that had a positive outlook.

Despite this, the survey showed that the majority of Filipinos were generally happy, with over half of the respondents feeling «somewhat happy.»

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About 40 percent of the respondents felt they were close to their best possible life during the second quarter of the year, while 20 percent believed they were already there.

Universal social pension for seniors and enhanced cybersecurity for government agencies received the highest support, the survey showed.

The arrest of controversial Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KoJ) founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy for human trafficking was the second most supported issue for Filipinos.

Other issues of interest include moving the school calendar back to June-March, adjusting the working hours of LGUs in Metro Manila to ease traffic, and consolidating government aid programs into a National Stipend Program.

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The least approved issues, as