With the country’s recent declaration of a food security emergency, access to affordable food has become a top priority for Filipinos, according to the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey commissioned by Stratbase Group.
New public opinion poll shows 90% of Filipinos say they will vote for candidates who advocate for agricultural development and food security. The findings are consistent with last month’s survey, suggesting that 94% of Filipinos were likely to support candidates championing the same cause.
The survey results come amid rising food prices, making accessibility a growing concern. Earlier this year, the Philippines declared a food security emergency to curb increasing rice prices, which have remained high despite lower global rates and a reduction in rice tariffs last year.
“This emergency declaration allows us to release rice buffer stocks held by the National Food Authority (NFA) to stabilize prices and ensure that rice, a staple food for millions of Filipinos, remains accessible to consumers,” said Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) also reported that national food inflation rose to 4.0% in January 2025, up from 3.5% the previous month.
Stratbase President Dindo Manhit emphasized that the SWS survey results reflect how crucial food affordability is to Filipinos, noting that they prefer “candidates who will prioritize food security and take decisive action to address the rising prices of essential goods that Filipinos rely on.”
“These staples are essential in every household and play a crucial role in daily nutrition and survival. The rising costs of these basic food items further highlight the growing concern over food affordability and its impact on Filipino families,” Manhit said.
“This persistent upward trend in prices highlights the ongoing challenge of ensuring food affordability and accessibility, making it a critical issue that candidates must address in the upcoming elections,” he added.
The survey was conducted on February 15-19 with 1,800 respondents nationwide. It has a 2% margin of error.