Rising prices, low wages, and corruption remained the biggest concerns of adult Filipinos in the second quarter of 2026, according to the latest survey released by OCTA Research.
The survey, conducted from July 4 to 11 among 1,200 respondents nationwide, asked participants which national issues the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. should address immediately.
Controlling the increase in the prices of basic goods and services emerged as the top concern, cited by 37 percent of respondents.
Improving or increasing workers’ wages and salaries ranked second with 34 percent, while fighting graft and corruption in government placed third at 32 percent.
Rounding out the top five priorities were improving access to affordable food, such as rice, vegetables, and meat, at 24 percent, and providing free quality education at 22 percent.
The survey showed that concern over inflation was strongest in the Visayas, where 42 percent of respondents identified rising prices as the country’s most urgent issue. It was followed by Balance Luzon at 41 percent.
Across socioeconomic classes, inflation also ranked as the leading concern, with 41 percent of respondents from Class ABC citing it, followed by 40 percent from Class E and 36 percent from Class D.
On personal concerns, maintaining good health and avoiding illness topped the list, with 65 percent of respondents identifying it as their primary concern.
Having enough food every day ranked second at 47 percent, while 41 percent each cited having savings and securing a stable, well-paying job or source of income.
Completing or providing education for children rounded out the top five personal concerns at 38 percent.
OCTA Research said the nationwide survey has a margin of error of ±3 percentage points at a 95 percent confidence level.
For subnational estimates covering the National Capital Region, Balance Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao, the margin of error is ±6 percentage points at the same confidence level.
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