Inflation, jobs edge out crime as Filipinos’ top worries – poll

MANILA, Philippines – Most Filipinos want the Duterte administration to prioritize inflation and job creation more than criminality in its first 6 months in office, according to the results of a Pulse Asia Research, Incorporated survey released on Wednesday, July 20.

“For most Filipinos, the new administration must prioritize 3 economic issues – controlling increases in prices (68%), creating employment opportunities (56%), and crafting new pro-poor programs (55%) – in its first 6 months in office,” Pulse Asia president Ronald Holmes said in a statement on Wednesday.

A near majority or 48% of Filipinos tagged criminality as a problem that should be immediately addressed by the the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, who won on a promise of "change" by significantly reducing crime nationwide in his first 6 months in office.

Among the other issues are loan grants to small entrepreneurs and the self-employed (23%), a program to address the government’s debt problem (17%), and the continued pursuit of peace negotiations with different armed groups (17%).

Filipinos believe the least priority should be given to forging a government of national unity (9%), and amending the Constitution (7%).

The nationwide survey on Filipinos’ expectations of the Duterte administration was conducted among 1,200 respondents from July 2 to 8.

The respondents were provided a list of different issues and were asked to cite the top 3 concerns they believe the new administration should prioritize in its first 6 months in office.

Data from Pulse Asia Research, Inc

“Majorities in Metro Manila (54% to 60%), the Visayas (56% to 70%), Class ABC (55% to 61%), and Class D (57% to 69%) are of the view that the new administration should immediately take steps to control inflation, generate employment, and create new pro-poor programs,” said Holmes.

During and immediately before the survey period, among the major news were the Cabinet appointments including Vice President Leni Robredo as housing chief, the spate of drug-related killings in the country and calls to probe these, and the P0.29-per kilowatt hour increase in electricity bills for Manila Electric Company customers beginning July.

During the survey period, Davao del Norte Represenative Pantaleon Alvarez filed House Concurrent Resolution Number 1, calling for a constitutional convention to pave the way for federalism. Alvarez and Capiz Representative Fredenil Castro also filed a bill seeking to reimpose the death penalty through lethal injection.

The nationwide survey has a ± 3% error margin at the 95% confidence level; subnational estimates for each of the geographic areas covered in the survey (i.e., Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao) have a ± 6% error margin, also at 95% confidence level.

The survey also polled the respondents on trust in the top 3 officials of the country. (READ: Duterte enjoys record-high 90% trust rating – Pulse Asia) – Rappler.com

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