Inflation has re-emerged as the top national concern among Filipinos, according to a recent survey by OCTA Research released.
Based on a survey of 1,200 adults conducted in mid-March, 45 percent of respondents identified rising prices as the country’s most urgent issue in the first quarter of 2026. This is up by 4 percentage points from 41 percent in the previous quarter of 2025.
OCTA said the data reflects renewed pressure on household budgets even before the full impact of inflation driven by oil price increases linked to the Middle East conflict is felt.
Concerns over government corruption slightly declined, from 29 percent to 26 percent, but remained among the top national issues. The pollster noted that while economic issues now dominate public attention, corruption continues to be seen as a persistent problem.
Meanwhile, support for increasing workers’ salaries dropped significantly by 12 percentage points to 33 percent, suggesting Filipinos are prioritizing immediate price pressures over wage adjustments.
On personal concerns, staying healthy and avoiding illness remained the top priority at 67 percent, largely unchanged from the previous quarter.
However, financial anxieties increased. Concern over having savings rose from 34 percent to 41 percent, while worries about securing a stable, well-paying job climbed to 42 percent. Concerns about having enough food also edged up to 46 percent.
OCTA said the findings indicate a growing shift toward financial resilience and daily economic security, even as health remains the dominant personal priority among Filipinos.
