Economic challenges remains a big problem: Survey

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In the recent PAHAYAG 2023 Third Quarter Survey (PQ3) conducted by PUBLiCUS Asia, Inc., it has been revealed that the concerns of Filipinos remain consistent with those of the previous quarter.

However, a significant shift in focus has occurred as the relentless rise in prices of basic goods elevated prices / inflation and the economy to the forefront of national priorities. Approximately a third of Filipinos now identify these economic challenges as the most crucial areas for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to address. 

These economic concerns are closely intertwined with the fundamental fears facing households as they head into the last quarter of 2023. These concerns include the increasing difficulty in affording basic necessities and commodities (15%) and due to prices (14%), the challenges associated with finding employment (12%), concerns about being underpaid (12%), and the looming possibility of unemployment (10%). These economic and livelihood concerns are now paramount in the minds of Filipino citizens. 

In macro and micro concerns among Filipinos, distinct patterns emerge. Notably, 25% of those with minimal education prioritize grappling with rising prices and inflation. Meanwhile, the 50-59 age group, often in supervisory roles, focuses on economic stability (26%). In the Visayas, 17% of voters highlight corruption as a top concern. 

At the micro-level, 22% of less educated Filipinos struggle to meet basic needs, while 19% of 25-29-year-olds face job scarcity and skill mismatches. Surprisingly, 19% of government workers express dissatisfaction with their pay. These findings reveal a diverse array of pressing issues within Filipino society, emphasizing the need for multifaceted solutions. 

“As we approach the final quarter of 2023, it is evident that the rising prices of essential goods have become a pressing issue for Filipinos. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s administration is now facing a critical task in addressing these concerns and stabilizing the Philippine economy,” according to PUBLiCUS Asia. 

The PAHAYAG 2023 Third Quarter Survey (PQ3) is an independent and non- commissioned survey conducted by PUBLiCUS Asia Inc. between September 7-12, 2023. It is a nationwide purposive survey with 1,500 respondents randomly drawn from a market research panel of over 200,000 Filipinos maintained by PureSpectrum, a US-based panel marketplace with a multinational presence. (Mindanao Examiner)