Philippines food prices top voter concerns as inflation pressure builds

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Highlights

Pulse Asia survey shows 35% of Filipinos, up from 30% in July, prioritize affordable food, with strongest concern among Class E at 55%.
Inflation in the Philippines accelerated to 7.2% in September, its fastest pace in over three years, intensifying calls for government action on prices.
Stratbase Group notes government credibility hinges on addressing everyday affordability, while President Marcos Jr.’s trust rating edged up to 36% in late September.

Survey findings and inflation backdrop

As reported by BusinessWorld, citing Pulse Asia, in a survey commissioned by the Stratbase Group, more than a third of Filipinos say the government should focus on making food, especially rice, meat and fish, more affordable. The poll, released on Friday and based on interviews with 2,400 respondents nationwide from Sept. 17 to 23, puts the share at 35%, up from 30% in July but below 41% in March.

The latest results align with broader concern over inflation, with 71% of respondents saying the Marcos administration should control price growth. Inflation accelerated to 7.2% in September, its fastest pace in more than three years.

Beyond food prices, 26% of respondents say the government should create more jobs and livelihood opportunities, while 24% want stronger action against corruption to improve public services. Another 15% cite better access to education and health-care services as a priority.

Pressure on policy and public trust

Victor Andres “Dindo” C. Manhit, chief executive officer of Stratbase Group, says the findings show the government needs to address the rising cost of basic goods if it wants to rebuild credibility and public trust. In a statement, he says Filipinos have been consistent in identifying everyday affordability and the ability to make ends meet as their main concerns.

Food-price concern is strongest among Class E respondents, the poorest socioeconomic group, where 55% name affordable food as their top issue, up 11 percentage points from July. That compares with 34% among Class D respondents and 26% among Class ABC.

By region, concern over food prices is highest in the National Capital Region at 43%, followed by Luzon at 36%, Mindanao at 34% and the Visayas at 31%. The survey also shows concern over jobs and livelihood slips to 26% from 28% in July, while calls to reduce or eliminate corruption fall to 24% from 28% in July and 31% in December 2025, although corruption remains the third most cited issue nationwide.

Manhit also points to a separate Stratbase-commissioned Social Weather Stations survey conducted from Sept. 21 to 27, which shows President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s trust rating edging up to 36% from 34% in June, while Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio’s rating holds at 56% against 57% in June. The latest Pulse Asia survey carries a margin of error of plus or minus 2%.

Our earlier coverage on Walmart’s inflation-driven appeal to budget-conscious shoppers explained how a higher-cost environment can shift consumer behavior toward value retailers and boost market share. We also noted that Walmart is leaning on higher-margin businesses, automation, and digital tools like its AI shopping assistant to lift baskets and protect profitability—an example of how inflation pressures can influence both households and institutions.

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