Controlling inflation and staying healthy emerged as the most pressing concerns for Filipinos in the final quarter of 2024, according to the latest Tugon ng Masa (TNM) survey by OCTA Research released on Sunday, January 12, 2025.
Conducted nationwide from November 10 to 16, 2024, the survey brought to the fore the public’s urgent national and personal priorities, reflecting the challenges faced by many as the year ended.
The poll, which involved 1,200 respondents aged 18 and above, revealed that 56% of Filipinos identified inflation control as their top national concern. Although still the leading issue, this figure marks a notable drop from 66% in the previous quarter.
The rising cost of basic goods, such as food, remains a major pain point, particularly in Visayas and Mindanao, where access to affordable rice, vegetables, and meat (44%) is a challenge.
Other pressing national issues for the respondents include improving wages (36%), reducing poverty (34%), and creating more jobs (29%). These findings underscore the public’s desire for long-term solutions to economic challenges.
Notably, concerns about wages and job creation slightly declined compared to earlier surveys, hinting at evolving public priorities.
On a personal level, staying healthy and avoiding illness topped the list for 70% of respondents. While health remains a universal concern, the survey also highlighted the importance of financial stability.
Around 52% of Filipinos prioritized securing a well-paying job, while 51% emphasized providing education for their children. Food security also ranked high, with half of the respondents prioritizing daily sustenance.
The survey revealed significant differences across regions and social classes. For instance, respondents in Class E were more focused on inflation (67%) and food affordability (53%).
Meanwhile, middle and upper-class groups (Class ABC) were more concerned about saving for the future. They view fighting graft and corruption (30%) as an urgent national concern as well as defending the West Philippine Sea (32%).
The survey has a ±3% margin of error at a 95% confidence level. Subnational estimates for the geographic areas covered in the survey have the following margins of error at a 95% confidence level: ±6% for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, according to OCTA Research.
