Inflation Filipinos’ biggest concern
NEARLY seven out of ten Filipinos are worried about the rising prices of basic goods, according to the latest survey by Pulse Asia.
In Pulse Asia’s September 17 to 21 poll, 66 percent of respondents said the government must focus on controlling inflation. Nearly half, or 44 percent, believe that increasing workers’ pay is the prime national concern.
The level of concern regarding inflation is 9 percentage points higher than in the last Pulse Asia survey in June.
Job creation and poverty reaction followed with 35 and 34 percent, respectively, while 22 percent said corruption must be addressed.
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said on Wednesday that inflation accelerated to 6.9 percent in September, the highest in four years, mainly driven by higher food prices. PSA Undersecretary Claire Dennis Mapa said that food prices went up in different regions. “Reducing inflation would really mean reducing food inflation. That really is one of the reasons why inflation went up,” he said.