By Adrian H. Halili, Reporter
MOST FILIPINOS want the government to tackle policies that would lower food costs and raise wages, according to the latest poll by public opinion research firm WR Numero Research.
In its August 2025 survey, the research firm found that 42% of Filipinos said the government should implement policies that lowers the cost of food and other essentials, when asked to list three top issues that needed to be tackled.
WR Numero conducted the survey following the fourth State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., in which he noted his administration’s initiatives to lower food costs, like increasing food security and investing in the agriculture sector.
It also found that about four in 10 Filipinos, or 39% noted raising the wages of workers among their top concerns.
Labor groups and civil service organizations earlier said that they will continue to push for higher wages after Congress failed to reconcile disagreeing provisions of their bills. The country’s economic managers warned that the measure would have “dangerous repercussions” on the Philippine economy.
WR Numero also reported that 29% of surveyed Filipinos said that the government should tackle illegal drugs and crime, while another 29% said that they want poverty addressed.
About 28% of those surveyed also said that the government should create more jobs and livelihood opportunities.
The country’s employment rate rose to 96.3% in June translating to 50.47 million Filipinos with jobs, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.
It added that 23% of Filipinos cited fighting government corruption was a top issue, while 16% noted the education crisis.
Also among their list of key issues are the need to reduce taxes and fees (16%), restore the subsidies under the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (16%), strengthen the country’s court and judicial system (8%), resist China’s interference in the West Philippine Sea (7%), expand comprehensive sex education (6%), and ensure a fair impeachment trial for Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio (6%)
A smaller share of Filipinos supports the strengthening the country’s military for national defense (5%), regulating political dynasties (3%), legalizing same-sex marriage (2%), and passing a divorce law (2%).
“Filipinos across political factions agree that lowering food prices and raising wages should be the government’s top priorities, but they differ on what ranks third,” the research firm noted.
WR Numero also found that supporters of Mr. Marcos and his allies noted poverty reduction, while Duterte supporters cited illegal drugs and crime. Those who identified as opposition supporters emphasized corruption, whereas independents prioritized job creation.
The third priority of Marcos supporters was fighting poverty and providing aid to the poor (32%), followed by creating jobs and livelihood opportunities (26%) and tackling illegal drugs and crime (23%).
Combating illegal drugs and crime ranks higher at 37% among Duterte supporters, compared to poverty reduction (27%), and job creation (24%).
Opposition supporters had emphasized fighting corruption (30%), followed by reducing poverty (29%), and creating jobs (27%).
Those who identified themselves as independent cited job creation as their third priority (33%), while 31% said tackling illegal drugs and crime, and addressing poverty (28%).
