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Public concern has shifted toward income issues, with wage increases now topping the list of matters Filipinos want the Marcos administration to address, according to a recent OCTA Research survey.
The nationwide poll, conducted from Dec. 3 to 11 among 1,200 respondents, found that 45 percent included wages among their top three urgent concerns, while 22 percent ranked it as their top priority. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points.
OCTA noted that this marked a reversal from previous surveys, where wages consistently placed last among major national issues since November 2024.
Inflation control, which previously dominated public concern, slipped to second place, cited by 41 percent of respondents. This was followed by access to affordable food, anti-corruption efforts, and the provision of free and quality education.
Concerns about poverty reduction and job generation also figured in the results, while fewer respondents cited the fight against illegal drugs as a top issue.
OCTA said the reordering of priorities suggests that easing inflation may have reduced pressure on price-related concerns, even as households remain focused on income adequacy and financial stability.
The research group added that the stronger emphasis on wages reflects growing attention to everyday living costs and the ability of families to cope with short-term economic disruptions.