Prices

To most Filipinos, their No. 1 problem is prices – high prices. Of nearly everything. The rate of increase in prices is inflation. Most people don’t understand what inflation means. But they know when prices are high, or are exceedingly high.

High prices make basic goods and services beyond the reach of ordinary people.

“Inflation is the single issue identified as urgent by most adults in the country,” says Pulse Asia, a respected pollster. In its December survey of 1,200 respondents, 72 percent cited inflation as concern No. 1, down slightly from 74 percent in September 2023. Three of every four Filipinos – between 72 and 74 of every 100 – cite inflation, or controlling it, as their most urgent concern.

Inflation is the only issue Filipinos hold against their President.  Despite the high prices, people still love Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr.

BBM’s approval rating is up slightly, at 68 percent, in December, from 65 percent in September 2023. Presidential approval is higher across all income classes: ABC – 63 percent, from 53, up 10 percentage points; D – 69 from 68 and E, 68 percent from 53, up 15 points, the highest gain among all income classes.

So if he could just bring down rice to his promised P20 per kilo, BBM could be the most popular Philippine president ever.

Per Pulse Asia, the next most urgent national concerns are so distant, you won’t think they are concerns at all. Like increasing pay of workers, 40 percent in the December 2023 Pulse Asia survey (from 49 percent in September 2023); creating jobs 28 percent and reducing poverty, 25 percent.

Inflation is the urgent issue identified by the great of majority of Filipinos. All the others – wages, jobs and poverty – were identified by just a minority (less than half of the respondents).

In effect, people are saying, “Hindi baleng mababa sahod ko, o walang bagong trabaho o mahirap ako, huwag mo lang taasan presyo ng mga bilihin (I don’t care if you don’t raise my pay, nor are jobs being created, or if I remain poor, but please, don’t increase prices).” That’s how desperate people are about high prices.

Per Pulse Asia, BBM’s administration enjoys majority approval ratings for its handling of these issues