CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (July 27) — Filipinos are entering President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address with a message that goes beyond the price of rice: they want more jobs, better livelihood opportunities, and a stronger government crackdown on corruption.
A Pulse Asia survey commissioned by the Stratbase Group found that while affordable food remained the top concern nationwide, the share of Filipinos identifying it as the government’s top priority fell sharply to 30% in July from 41% in March.
At the same time, calls for more jobs and stronger action against corruption gained ground—reflecting growing public expectations for an economy that creates opportunities and a government that delivers services more effectively.
The survey, conducted June 28 to July 3 and 6 among 2,400 respondents nationwide, showed 28% wanted the government to create more jobs and livelihood opportunities, up from 24% in March.
Another 28% said the administration should lessen or eliminate corruption to provide better government services, rising from 26% in the previous survey.
The findings come just days before Marcos delivers his fifth SONA on Monday, July 27, where Malacañang has said he will unveil an “earth-shaking” announcement and highlight his administration’s accomplishments.
Mindanao wants corruption tackled
The call for cleaner government was particularly strong in Mindanao.
Thirty-two percent of respondents in the region identified reducing or eliminating corruption as the government’s top priority—the highest among all major areas surveyed.
Food affordability, meanwhile, ranked lower among Mindanao respondents, with 26% naming it as their top concern, down sharply from 46% in March.
The shift suggests that while the cost of basic goods remains a concern, many Mindanaoans are increasingly looking to government institutions themselves to address problems and deliver better services.
Victor Andres “Dindo” Manhit, president of the Stratbase Group, said the survey results show that Filipinos expect the government to tackle interconnected economic and governance challenges.
“The message from Filipinos is remarkably consistent. They want government to sustain efforts to keep food affordable, but they are also demanding stronger action against corruption and more opportunities for decent jobs,” Manhit said.
“These are no longer separate concerns but interconnected expectations of effective governance,” he added.
Jobs emerge as a stronger demand
The call for jobs also gained momentum, particularly in Balance Luzon, where support for job creation surged to 30% from just 14% in March.
Nationwide, 28% of respondents said creating jobs and livelihood opportunities should be the government’s top priority, making it statistically tied with the call for stronger anti-corruption efforts.
The survey also showed differences across income groups.
Lower-income Filipinos remained more likely to prioritize affordable food, while respondents from higher-income groups were more inclined to identify corruption and job creation as urgent government priorities.
For the poorest households, food prices accounted for 44% of top-priority responses, compared with just 19% among the ABC socioeconomic group.
In contrast, 34% of ABC respondents prioritized fighting corruption, compared with 20% among those in the E class.
Education, health also gaining attention
The public’s expectations are also widening beyond food, jobs, and corruption.
Fourteen percent of respondents said the government should prioritize accessible education and healthcare services, up from 10% in March.
The increase was most pronounced in the Visayas, where 20% identified education and healthcare as a top priority.
Manhit said the administration now faces a broader challenge than simply keeping inflation under control.
“They want an economy that creates opportunities and a government that is transparent, accountable, and capable of delivering results,” he said.
“Meeting these expectations will be critical in sustaining public trust.”
The Pulse Asia findings echo another survey released Friday, which also found that Filipinos want Marcos to address corruption and ensure affordable basic goods in his SONA.
As the President prepares to deliver his address, the survey results point to an electorate looking for more than promises of economic growth.
They want food they can afford, jobs they can count on, public services they can access—and a government they can trust.
