FILIPINOS remain most concerned about making ends meet every day and want the government to address this, according to a survey by poll research, and consulting firm OCTA taken between Dec. 3 and 11 last year.
Out of 1,200 adult Filipinos polled, 45 percent cited improving/ increasing the wages or salaries of workers, 41 percent cited controlling the increase in the prices of basic goods and service, and 30 percent want access to affordable food like rice, vegetable, and meat.
The two other concerns people want the government to act on are fighting graft and corruption in government (29 percent) and providing free quality education (28 percent).
Meanwhile, at least having enough to eat every day and having a secure and well-paying job and source of income also ranked among the top five urgent personal concerns of Filipinos, with 44 percent and 39 percent citing them, respectively.
Health and education top this list, with staying healthy and avoiding illness an urgent personal concern of 65 percent of respondents, and finishing schooling or providing schooling for their children cited by 45 percent.
Another 38 percent say they want to avoid being a victim of any serious crime.
These numbers tell a compelling story. Despite the noise and muck that seems to pervade government in recent months, Filipinos ultimately just want to live in dignity by having the means to provide for their family’s needs.
It also mirrors other polling firms’ results that Filipinos are primarily preoccupied with economics especially as it pertains to their daily survival.
Leaders should take heed. Initiatives intended to empower the people to earn well and consistently provide for their loved ones. This is economic security as opposed to occasional doles handed out by politicians seeking to curry favor with the people in the guise of concern.
The numbers also point to other issues that must be taken seriously. Specifically, the fight against graft and corruption has recently become prominent in the wake of the massive – and ongoing – public works scandal. But perhaps the connection between governance and economics has been muted. In fact, when people’s money is managed well and transparently, there will be more funds available for worthy projects. For their part, investors will have the confidence to come here, and stay, to help create sustainable jobs for Filipinos.
Health issues, it could be argued, is an equalizer because diseases could strike anyone whatever their socio-economic bracket. Tragically, our health systems are anything but equitable, and the available reliefs for patients depend largely on their financial means. Everyone, too, deserves to feel secure in their person and their property, and perceptions of gaps in peace and order must be addressed.
Finally, Filipinos would always envision a better, fairer future for their children, and education is the only guaranteed long-term means through which this can be achieved.
These surveys are not just a regularly-released bunch of numbers. Leaders—at least who have it in their hearts to truly serve—should listen and be guided.
