A new survey has revealed that wage increases are now the top concern of Filipinos, which they want the government to address immediately. This shows a clear shift in public focus toward income and livelihood stability, amid the ongoing challenges of daily expenses.
Based on the results of the OCTA Research survey, a large portion of respondents ranked wages as one of their top three issues, with many choosing it as their top priority. This change is notable because in recent months, wages have ranked lower than other national issues.
While inflation control remains important, its immediate weight in the public eye has diminished. This has been followed by concerns such as affordable food, fighting corruption, and free quality education, which continue to be considered key to the country's long-term development.
Data suggests that households are now placing more emphasis on sufficient income and wage stability than simply containing price increases. For many, the real challenge is how to maintain the ability to meet daily needs and prepare for unexpected expenses.
Overall, this priority shift serves as an important signal for policymakers: addressing worker wages and income is critical to strengthening economic resilience and improving the quality of life of Filipinos in the current era.
